Rabat – The Colombian Congress has reiterated its support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan, which has received nods from the international community since its introduction in 2007.
The two houses of the Colombian Congress adopted a resolution reaffirming their position in favor of a political, fair, and lasting solution to the Western Sahara conflict on the basis of the credible and serious autonomy plan.
Senator Jose Luis Perez read the resolution to the press on Wednesday following a meeting between Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita and the head of the Colombian Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, Jaime Duran Barrera.
The resolution expressed full support for “the efforts made since 2007 by the kingdom of Morocco in favor of a fair, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution to the regional dispute over the Sahara, on the basis of the Moroccan autonomy initiative, which has been deemed as a preeminent, serious, credible, and realistic” solution by the UN Security Council in its resolutions.
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The resolution also acknowledged the recognition that the autonomy plan has received internationally, including from Colombia.
The resolution added that the sovereignty of Morocco over its territory is an “important” aspect to guarantee and “promote peace and stability in the Maghreb and Sahel region.”
The resolution, which was quoted by Maghreb Arab Press (MAP), also raised concerns over the “persistence of serious human rights violations” by the Polisario Front, including the “restriction of freedom of movement, expression and demonstration in the Tindouf Camps.”
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In the text, congressmen of both houses of the Colombian Congress emphasized their concerns over the “persistence of extremely inhuman practices against the populations sequestered in the Tindouf camps,” echoing Morocco’s demand for a census of the populations in accordance with Resolution 2414 of April 27, 2018.
The resolution of the congress also expressed satisfaction with the “excellent” bilateral cooperation between the two countries, which have had diplomatic relations for 40 years. The Congress also showed determination to strengthen bilateral bonds in all areas.
Congressmen from major political parties signed the resolution, including the Democratic Center, the Radical Change Party, the Conservative Party, the Liberal Party, the Social Party of National Unity, the MIRA Party, as well as the opposition Green Alliance Party.
