Jerome Bonnafont, the French Permanent Representative to the United Nations, praised the new resolution of the UN Security Council, confirming that it is the result of open work and joint cooperation between member states. Bonnafont affirmed his country's thanks to the United States of America for its efforts in drafting a balanced text that meets the various requests of the participating delegations.
The French delegate explained that the resolution obliges the Security Council to move the political process, by giving the personal envoy a clear mandate to resume negotiations with the full support of the Council. Bonnafont called on all concerned parties to immediately engage in the negotiating table to achieve a comprehensive and just political solution. Bonnafont stressed that "the present and future of the Sahara fall within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty, and that the autonomy plan represents the only way to reach a permanent solution to the conflict." He also emphasized the need to invest in the current political momentum and the collective success achieved by the Security Council, calling on the personal envoy to hold an urgent meeting for the concerned parties in order to reach a final settlement. The French delegate added that the adoption of this resolution represents a new approach for the Council, based on encouraging the political process under the auspices of the United Nations, while emphasizing respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter to ensure the continuation of efforts towards peace. Bonnafont called for a cessation of hostilities, stressing that the resolution draws a new horizon for peace in the region, and that the time has come to start negotiations with determination and courage to end the long conflict in a way that serves the peoples and countries of the region.
