Several countries have reaffirmed before the UN, their unwavering support for the Moroccanness of the Sahara and for the autonomy proposal as the only solution to the settlement of the regional dispute of the Sahara which opposes Morocco, and Algeria through its proxy the “polisario during the UN Committee of 24 (C24). Each of them raises aspects and arguments that justify their choice to support this proposal.
During Wednesday’s session, four new countries (Gabon, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Gambia) intervened to support Morocco and its sovereignty.
Before the members of the UN Committee of 24 (C24), the representative of Gabon, Rita Nanette Kambangoye Ankassa, stressed her country’s support for the Moroccan autonomy plan which offers “credible and reassuring” prospects for ending to the regional dispute over the Sahara.
“Gabon welcomes and encourages the Moroccan autonomy initiative, because it presents credible and reassuring prospects allowing not only to put an end to the current political impasse, but also to reach an acceptable and negotiated political solution”, a- she declared.
She recalled that more than a hundred countries have expressed their support for Morocco’s proposal for the settlement of this dispute, noting that it also has the support of the Security Council, whose successive resolutions have always affirmed the credibility of this initiative.
The Gabonese diplomat also hailed the efforts of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, who “works incessantly for the relaunch of the political process under the exclusive auspices of the United Nations ”.
“His commitment to the success of his mission stands out through the visits he made, during the year 2022, to Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the Tindouf camps, as well as through the informal bilateral consultations he held during the month of March, she said.
In this sense, she considered that this diplomatic revival is an “encouraging” sign for the resumption of the process of round tables around the four participants, in this case Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the “polisario”, inviting all parties to engage throughout this process, in a spirit of compromise, with a view to reaching a political solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, as recommended by Security Council resolutions.
Liberia reaffirmed its “unwavering support” for the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara, calling it “the most serious and credible compromise solution” to end the dispute.
Its permanent representative of Liberia to the UN, Sarah Safyn Fyneah declared that the Moroccan initiative is in accordance with international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly, while stressing that the territorial integrity of countries must be respected at all times and fully defended.
Sarah Safyn Fyneah called for the resumption of round tables in the same format and with the same participants, namely Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the “polisario”, in accordance with Security Council resolution 2654.
She also welcomed the involvement and participation of the Sahrawi populations in the political life of Morocco, referring to the legislative elections of 2021 which saw a high participation rate of 66.94% in Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra, 63.76 % in Guelmim-Oued Noun and 58.30% in Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, as confirmed by national and international observers.
She also welcomed the participation of elected officials from the Moroccan Sahara in the C24 regional seminar for the Pacific for the fifth consecutive time and in the two round tables that took place in Geneva in 2018 and 2019.
For his part, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Côte d’Ivoire, Gbolié Désiré Walfran Ipo, dwelt on the spirit of compromise that marks the autonomy proposal submitted by Morocco in 2007, affirming that it “translates speaks volumes about the Kingdom’s commitment to a compromise solution in the final settlement of this regional dispute”.
In his speech, he affirmed that his country “is delighted with the dynamics of international support in favor of this Moroccan initiative, supported by more than a hundred United Nations Member States”.
The autonomy plan “confers many prerogatives to the local populations, remains the compromise solution to settle the question of the Moroccan Sahara”, he said, noting that it is in line with international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly.
For his part, Gambia’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Lamin Faati, highlighted security and peace in the Sahara, and congratulated Morocco’s “constructive and cooperative” approach and its commitment to the dialogue with a view to resolving the regional dispute over the Sahara.
He called on the other parties to adopt a “constructive attitude” so that the political process conducted under the aegis of the UN can move towards a compromise solution.
While expressing Gambia’s firm support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over its Sahara, he affirmed that the Moroccan initiative is capable of contributing to security and stability in the region at a time when the Sahel is grappling with unprecedented security challenges.
The autonomy initiative proposed by Morocco has been described as serious and credible in successive Security Council resolutions, including 2654, enjoys notable international support, he noted.
The diplomat was also interested in his development and investment intervention in the southern provinces thanks to the new development model launched in 2015, noting that this dynamic demonstrates Morocco’s long-term investment in peace and the development of the region.
“This initiative undoubtedly creates many opportunities for economic growth while improving the living standards of people living in the region,” he said.
Since the launch of the work of the UN Committee of 24 in New York, some twenty countries (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Jordan, Dominican Republic, etc.) have sent messages and made interventions in favor of the autonomy initiative proposed by Morocco, while defending the territorial integrity of the kingdom.