Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch has reiterated Morocco’s commitment to reaching a final political solution to the Western Sahara dispute.
Akhannouch made his remarks in a speech before the UN General Assembly, emphasizing the principles of Morocco’s position.
“These principles include the insistence that no political process can occur outside the roundtable discussions established by the UN, with the full participation of Algeria,” Akhannouch said.
Morocco rejects any political solution that is outside the framework of its Autonomy initiative, Akhannouch stressed.
Morocco submitted the autonomy initiative to the UN Security Council in 2007. The plan would allow the region’s inhabitants to manage their social, economic, and political affairs while Morocco handles defense and diplomacy.
Since its submission, the Moroccan initiative has received wide international recognition, with the Security Council and many major international powers describing it as a serious and credible political solution.
The list of countries supporting the Moroccan plan has grown exponentially over the past months and years, with an ever-increasing cohort of nations describing the initiative as the most political path toward a solution to end the lingering and decades-long dispute over Western Sahara.
Akhannouch cited this growing support in his speech, noting that many countries continue to join the list of nations that support Morocco’s poverty over its southern provinces.
“This international dynamic sends a clear message to the other parties and the United Nations that the time has come to move toward a political solution based on this framework, through a series of roundtable discussions, by resolutions of the UN Security Council.”
Read also: Samir Bennis’s Book: How, Why the US Embraced Morocco’s Autonomy Plan
The UN-sponsored roundtable discussions aimed at resolving the dispute are frequently hindered by Algeria’s ongoing support for the Polisario Front and its independence claims.
Algeria not only shelters the separatist militia group but also arms and finances it.
In the speech, Akhannouch also renewed Morocco’s support for the efforts made by the UN Secretary-General and his personal envoy to relaunch the political roundtables process, with the participation of all fo parties, aiming to reach a realistic, practical, and lasting political solution based on the spirit of consensus for regional dispute, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2703.
“The full and active participation of the local population through their democratically elected representatives in political economic and social life stems from their steadfast commitment to Morocco’s territorial integrity and the Moroccan identity of the Sahara,” Akhannouch concluded.
On Tuesday, several countries reiterated their support for Morocco’s position at the UN, including Sao Tome and Principe.
Minister of Energy Guadalupe conveyed his country’s support, reaffirming Sao Tome and Principe support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces.
He made his remarks following a meeting on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
