Rabat – Support for Morocco’s position on Western Sahara gained new momentum in Geneva, where a group of 40 countries voiced clear backing for the country’s sovereignty over its southern provinces during the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council.
The statement, delivered by Morocco’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Omar Zniber, described the issue as a political dispute that falls under the authority of the UN Security Council, not a matter for human rights bodies to arbitrate.
For these countries, the path forward remains tied to Morocco’s Autonomy Plan. They described it as a serious and credible basis for a lasting solution, in line with the direction set by the Security Council in recent years.
Political track reaffirmed
The group also expressed support for Security Council Resolution 2797, which calls for renewed talks between the parties involved. The aim is to reach a final settlement that all sides can accept, with Morocco’s Autonomy Plan at the center of discussions.
In their view, this approach offers a realistic way out of a dispute that has lasted for decades, while preserving regional stability.
The statement also took note of Morocco’s efforts to further detail its Autonomy Plan. It pointed in particular to Rabat’s position on the return of populations from the Tindouf camps, with assurances that integration would take place under equal rights and citizenship.
This element, the group suggested, remains key to any long-term resolution.
The countries also referred to Morocco’s engagement with UN human rights mechanisms. They cited ongoing cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and other UN procedures across the country.
At the same time, they warned against turning human rights forums into arenas for political disputes, insisting that such processes must remain balanced and free from instrumental use.
Growing international presence in southern provinces
Another point raised in the statement concerns the increasing number of foreign consulates in Laayoune and Dakhla. For the group, these diplomatic openings reflect a broader dynamic in relation to economic interest, investment prospects, and closer ties with the region.
They see these steps as directly linked to local development and as part of a wider continental outlook.
The group concluded with a wider perspective, arguing that a resolution to the Sahara dispute would go beyond the immediate parties involved. It would also open the door to stronger cooperation across Africa and the Arab world, at a time when economic integration remains a shared goal.
Morocco, they noted, continues to push in that direction through sustained diplomatic efforts and a clear political framework.
