Rabat – Bulgaria is among the growing number of countries that recognize Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a viable solution for the dispute over Western Sahara.
Sofia reaffirmed its position in a joint statement following a phone call between Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova Chamova and her Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita.
Bulgaria “recognizes that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty can constitute a viable solution to the dispute,” said the joint statement, citing the UN Security Council Resolution of October 2797– which urged all parties to the dispute to engage in the UN-led political process while taking the Moroccan proposal as the only basis for negotiations.
The statement also conveys Bulgaria’s support for the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as the “serious, credible and realistic basis for achieving a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution.”
This comes to further strengthen Morocco’s momentum in the Sahara dossier, with the North African kingdom having received the support of over 130 countries that back its Autonomy Plan as the most viable and feasible pathway to a lasting solution to the Sahara dispute.
Resolution 2797, which the Security Council adopted last year in October, came as a breakthrough, reinforcing the Moroccan position in the face of hostile maneuvers orchestrated by the Algerian regime, which hosts, finances, arms, and supports the Polisario Front’s separatist claims to challenge Morocco’s territorial integrity.
The US, which backs Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the only feasible framework to the dispute, facilitated two roundtable talks – convening the parties to the dispute in both Spain and Washington this year.
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Despite the talks, Algeria’s regime continues to hamper the political process by presenting itself as an observer to the dispute rather than a main political party, as it is referred to – especially in the latest resolution.
The resolution clearly names Algeria among the four parties to the dispute alongside Polisario and Mauritania as well as Morocco, urging them to engage in roundtable talks and negotiations to contribute to the political process based on the Autonomy plan.
Algeria, however, continues to cling to its “neighbouring party” to the dispute, alleging that a solution should be found between Morocco and Polisario – refusing to shoulder its responsibility in the dispute.
This comes amid a backdrop of support from more than 30 EU countries, and almost a consensus in Africa, and many other countries in the world that see the Autonomy Plan as a mechanism able to end the lingering dispute.
