Rabat – Sierra Leone reaffirmed at the UN on Wednesday, October 27, its support for Morocco’s territorial integrity. Speaking to the UN’s Fourth Committee, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the UN, Mangay Sulimani, said that the Moroccan autonomy plan “promotes realism and compromise for a lasting solution to the Sahara issue.”
“Sierra Leone reiterates its support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative since it promotes realism and compromise for a lasting solution to the Sahara issue,” the ambassador stressed before the members of the 4th committee of the UN General Assembly, held in New York.
The representative also reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s support for the political process under the “exclusive” aegis of the UN Secretary-General aimed at achieving a “lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the regional dispute.”
The Sierra Leonean diplomat also welcomed the appointment of Staffan de Mistura as the UN Secretary General’s personal envoy for the Moroccan Sahara.
Additionally, the ambassador welcomed the holding of the two previous round table discussions between Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the Polisario Front. She further emphasized that Sierra Leone is “impatiently awaiting” for a third round table discussion upon the resumption of the political process.
Sulimani also recalled Morocco’s efforts in addressing the health and development needs of Western Sahara, particularly through access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Sierra Leone, having withdrawn its recognition of the self-declared Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in 2003, signed a roadmap with Morocco in August to intensify cooperation in most sectors as a concrete commitment to develop their bilateral relations and to highlight Africa’s solidarity.
The solidarity and productive cooperation between the two countries have been evident on several occasions such as Sierra Leone’s participation in the MEDays International Forum in Morocco that was part of the cooperation with the Kingdom with a view to further strengthen economic ties.
To demonstrate its active solidarity with Morocco’s autonomy plan, Sierra Leone opened a consulate in Dakhla in August to reflect its constant and positive position with regard to Morocco’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
