Rabat – The Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, held a working session on Monday in New York with the Personal Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Staffan De Mistura, at the latter’s request.
The meeting was attended by Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Omar Hilale.
This meeting is part of De Mistura’s consultations ahead of the upcoming sessions of the UN Security Council.
During the meeting, the Moroccan delegation reaffirmed the country’s unwavering principles, as defined by King Mohammed VI, with the objective of reaching a political, realistic, pragmatic, and sustainable solution based exclusively on the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, within the framework of Morocco’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In this regard, the delegation reiterated Morocco’s support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy.
The talks also addressed the latest developments regarding the growing international momentum in favor of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara.
A growing number of countries have been expressing support for the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative as the sole and unique basis for reaching a political solution to the regional dispute over the Sahara, in line with the diplomatic momentum launched by King Mohammed VI.
Morocco’s autonomy initiative for the Sahara has gained increasing traction on the international stage. Several key states, including the United States, France, and the UK, have reaffirmed that Morocco’s proposal is “serious, credible, realistic” as the only viable path forward.
These endorsements heighten diplomatic pressure for all parties to re-enter into constructive political dialogue. The rise in support reflects a growing global consensus that Morocco’s autonomy plan is the only viable framework for a lasting resolution
This meeting comes just before the release of the next UN Secretary-General’s annual report on Western Sahara, an important document that typically assesses compliance with existing Security Council resolutions, progress in the political process, and the positions of all parties.
In the previous report, the Secretary-General emphasized the need to move toward substantive talks and that all parties involved must participate in good faith in such a process.
During his recent meeting with UN Envoy Staffan de Mistura, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf reiterated Algeria’s familiar stance, insisting that his country merely supports UN efforts toward a “just and lasting solution.”
He emphasized the principle of self-determination for the Polisario Front and called for direct, unconditional negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario under UN auspices.
However, this position once again reflects Algiers’ long-standing refusal to acknowledge its central role in the conflict, despite repeated UN resolutions urging Algeria to engage as a main party in the political process.
MWN with MAP
