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Rabat – The Saudi Royal Court has issued an urgent directive instructing government entities in the country not to use the name “Western Sahara” or display a divided map of Morocco.
The directive was based on Royal Decree No. 59609 issued on Shawwal 20, 1440 of the Islamic calendar. It emphasized the importance of complying with the decree and completing the necessary measures.
The official document, which was widely circulated on social media, was sent to government departments on Rajab 3, 1445, corresponding with January 15, 2024.
It stressed the need for all entities to adhere to the royal decree and fulfill the required measures, which includes displaying Morocco’s full undivided map and not using the name “Western Sahara” when referring to the country’s southern regions.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education shared the directive with all its affiliated institutions to ensure compliance with the decision.
A widely shared document signed by Yousef bin Abdullah Al Benyan, Saudi Minister of Education, said that “the message included his Excellency’s [Saudi King] directive to emphatically ensure the commitment of the relevant authorities to what was stipulated in the referenced royal decree.”
The move comes amidst Saudi Arabia’s explicit recognition and unwavering support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its territories, including the Sahara region.
Saudi Arabia has been vocal in endorsing Morocco’s stance on the Sahara issue and advocating for the territorial integrity of the country.
The Gulf country reiterated its support for Morocco during the 4th Committee of the UN General Assembly in October.
Hassan Ben Mohammed Al Amri, Saudi Arabia’s representative at the UN, expressed his country’s “support for the autonomy initiative in the Moroccan Sahara within the framework of Morocco’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
He described the Moroccan autonomy plan “as a solution in line with international law and the resolutions of the UN Security Council and the General Assembly.”
Al Amri also stressed that his country would reject anything that harms Morocco’s interests or its territorial integrity.
