Dakhla – The UN should absolutely preserve its position of neutrality and impartiality to ensure peace in the region, said minister of African integration and Ivorian expatriates Ally Coulibaly in response to statements made by the UNSG on the Moroccan Sahara.
“We believe that, for the sake of peace in the region, the United Nations should absolutely preserve its position of neutrality and impartiality given the fact that the Kingdom of Morocco is firmly committed to granting a broad autonomy to the southern provinces,” the Ivorian official told the press on the sidelines of his participation in the 27th Crans Montana Forum held in the city of Dakhla.
“We have reaffirmed this stance several times. Recently, in January during the AU summit in Addis Ababa and last year in Johannesburg. We have repeatedly said that the UN should remain neutral and it is this neutrality and impartiality which will ensure peace in the region. This is fundamental for Côte d’Ivoire,” he said.
The Ivorian government is astonished about the statements made recently by UNSG Ban Ki Moon on the dispute over the Sahara, all the more so because of Morocco’s huge contribution in the UN peacekeeping force.
In this regard, the Ivorian minister hailed the remarkable work done by the Moroccan blue helmets deployed in the Côte d’Ivoire, whom are appreciated for their professionalism.
