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Rabat – Japan has expressed support for the UN-led political process seeking a mutually acceptable solution to the Western Sahara dispute, based on the Moroccan Autonomy Plan.
Japan expressed satisfaction with its new position in a joint declaration signed by Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Nasser Bourita, and his Japanese counterpart, Motegi Toshimitsu, during a videoconference on Friday to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
In the statement, Japan also welcomed UN Security Council Resolution 2797, which declared that “genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty” is the most workable solution to end the dispute.
Japan also backs the UN Secretary General and his personal envoy’s efforts to facilitate and lead negotiations based on Morocco’s Autonomy Plan to find a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable settlement to the dispute.
It also urged all parties to the dispute to participate in talks without preconditions and based on the Moroccan Autonomy Plan to achieve a definitive and mutually acceptable solution, according to the joint declaration.
Japan also reassured Morocco that it will give concrete form to its new position, stating that it is ready to “act, including at the diplomatic and economic levels, taking into account its position and the current evolution of the situation.”
The decision comes amid a growing momentum and support Morocco’s position has been gaining throughout recent years, supporting its position at the international level.
More than 120 countries now support the Autonomy plan as the only or the most feasible path to end the dispute, urging all parties, including Algeria’s regime, to engage in the UN-led political process to put an end to the 50-year-long dispute.
Many countries have joined this momentum recently, including Canada.
In April, Canada recognized Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a credible and serious basis to settle the Western Sahara dispute.
Recently, Mali also announced its decision to withdraw its recognition of Polisario’s self-styled SADR and called the autonomy plan the only credible framework to end the Sahara dispute.
Many other countries have joined the chorus in supporting the autonomy initiative, including the EU bloc, which adopted in January a unified position supporting Morocco’s plan for its southern provinces.
