The UN Security Council has voted for the resumption of negotiations between parties to the disputed Western Sahara in North Africa.
The resolution on Thursday sought the resumption of negotiations by both parties “in good faith with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution” for Western Sahara.
Thirteen countries in the 15-member Security council voted in favour of the resolution, with Kenya and Russia abstaining.
Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, is disputed by the Algerian-backed Polisario Front and Morocco.
While Morocco controls around 80% of Western Sahara, the rest is held by the Polisario movement – which fought with Morocco for years after Spanish forces withdrew in 1975.
The 16-year-long insurgency ended with a UN-led truce in 1991 and the promise of a referendum on independence which has yet to take place.
