Rabat – Dominica and Cote d’Ivoire have joined several countries in reaffirming their consistent position in support of Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara.
The Foreign Affairs Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Vince Henderson, reiterated his country’s position today in Rabat during a press briefing following his talks with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita.
The Dominican minister also welcomed the growing international consensus in support of Morocco’s Autonomy Plan. He reaffirmed his country’s full support of the Autonomy Plan as the only credible, serious, and realistic solution to the dispute, welcoming Security Council Resolution 2797 of last year in October.
The UN Security Council resolution recognizes the Autonomy Plan proposed by Morocco as a genuine political solution to resolve the Sahara dispute.
Cote d’Ivoire echoed today in a similar position, reaffirming its firm and consistent position in support of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces.
Cote d’Ivoire Foreign Affairs Minister Niale Kaba reiterated her country’s position during her first working visit to Morocco.
She held talks today in Rabat with Moroccan FM Bourita. In a joint statement following the talks, the minister said her country is consistent in its support for Morocco’s territorial integrity, backing the Autonomy Plan as the only serious, credible and sustainable basis for achieving a political solution to the dispute.
Bourita responded by expressing gratitude to Cote d’Ivoire for its unwavering position, recalling the opening of its consulate general in Laayoune in February 2020.
He said the opening of Cote d’Ivoire’s representation in Laayoune constitutes tangible proof of the strength of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Several countries have recently renewed their consistent and unwavering support for the Moroccan position, including Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Guinea, and France.
Others, including Madagascar, Japan, Canada, and Mali joined the growing chorus that support the Autonomy Plan as the only or most feasible political solution able to end the dispute.
More than 126 countries now back the Autonomy Plan, urging all parties to the dispute to engage in talks and ongoing dialogue, taking the Moroccan plan as a basis and framework to find a settlement to the 50-year-long dispute.
