United Nations Security Council Resolution 690
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
690, adopted unanimously on April 29, 1991, after recalling resolutions 621
(1988) and 658
(1990) and noting a report by the Secretary-General on the situation in Western Sahara
, the Council approved the report and decided to establish the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara
(MINURSO) in accordance with the Secretary-General's recommendations. The Mission was to implement the Settlement Plan
for a referendum
of self-determination
for the people of Western Sahara.
The Council called upon Morocco
and the Polisario Front
to co-operate with the Secretary-General and the Mission, expressing its full support to him and the Organisation of African Unity for their efforts. It also decided that the transitional period will begin no later than sixteen weeks after the General Assembly
approves the budget of MINURSO. In May 1991, the General Assembly approved the budget.
A ceasefire came into effect on September 6, 1991, and MINURSO was deployed thereafter.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
690, adopted unanimously on April 29, 1991, after recalling resolutions 621
United Nations Security Council Resolution 621
United Nations Security Council Resolution 621, adopted unanimously on September 20, 1988, after hearing a joint report by the Secretary-General and Organisation of African Unity , the Council noted an agreement between Morocco and the Frente Polisario on August 30, 1988 to the joint proposals by...
(1988) and 658
United Nations Security Council Resolution 658
United Nations Security Council Resolution 658, adopted unanimously on June 27, 1990, after recalling Resolution 621 and noting a report by the Secretary-General on the situation in Western Sahara, the Council approved the Secretary-General's recommendations regarding a settlement of the...
(1990) and noting a report by the Secretary-General on the situation in Western Sahara
Western Sahara
Western Sahara is a disputed territory in North Africa, bordered by Morocco to the north, Algeria to the northeast, Mauritania to the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Its surface area amounts to . It is one of the most sparsely populated territories in the world, mainly...
, the Council approved the report and decided to establish the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara
United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara
MINURSO is the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara. The name is a French acronym for "Mission des Nations Unies pour l'Organisation d'un Référendum au Sahara Occidental" — United Nations Mission for the organization of a Referendum in Western Sahara.-Purpose of the mission:MINURSO...
(MINURSO) in accordance with the Secretary-General's recommendations. The Mission was to implement the Settlement Plan
Settlement Plan
The Settlement Plan was an agreement between the Polisario Front and Morocco on the organization of a referendum, which would constitute an expression of self-determination for the people of Western Sahara, leading either to full independence, or integration with the kingdom of Morocco...
for a referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
of self-determination
Self-determination
Self-determination is the principle in international law that nations have the right to freely choose their sovereignty and international political status with no external compulsion or external interference...
for the people of Western Sahara.
The Council called upon Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
and the Polisario Front
Polisario Front
The POLISARIO, Polisario Front, or Frente Polisario, from the Spanish abbreviation of Frente Popular de Liberación de Saguía el Hamra y Río de Oro is a Sahrawi rebel national liberation movement working for the independence of Western Sahara from Morocco...
to co-operate with the Secretary-General and the Mission, expressing its full support to him and the Organisation of African Unity for their efforts. It also decided that the transitional period will begin no later than sixteen weeks after the General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
approves the budget of MINURSO. In May 1991, the General Assembly approved the budget.
A ceasefire came into effect on September 6, 1991, and MINURSO was deployed thereafter.
See also
- History of Western SaharaHistory of Western SaharaThe history of Western Sahara can be traced back to the times of Carthaginian explorer Hanno the Navigator in the 5th century BC. Though few historical records are left from that period, Western Sahara's modern history has its roots linked to some nomadic groups such as the Sanhaja group and the...
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 601 to 700 (1987 – 1991)
- Sahrawi Arab Democratic RepublicSahrawi Arab Democratic RepublicThe Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is a partially recognised state that claims sovereignty over the entire territory of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony. SADR was proclaimed by the Polisario Front on February 27, 1976, in Bir Lehlu, Western Sahara. The SADR government controls about...