Latest news with #AutonomyInitiative
Maroc
4 days ago
- Politics
- Maroc
UK Position Will Strengthen Momentum Around Moroccan Sahara Issue Under HM the King's Leadership
The position expressed by the United Kingdom regarding the Moroccan Sahara will help reinforce the momentum this issue has gained under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, stated Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, on Sunday in Rabat. This position represents "a significant development," given that the United Kingdom is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a member of the Group of Friends of the UN Secretary-General on the Sahara, noted Bourita during a press briefing with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, David Lammy. In this regard, the minister noted that "four countries within the Group of Friends of the UN Secretary-General on the Sahara have now joined this dynamic and expressed support for the Autonomy Initiative—namely France, the United States, Spain, and now the United Kingdom." Bourita also emphasized that the United Kingdom has always been an influential and credible voice at the European, UN, and international levels. He added that this position will also have positive economic implications, as UK Export Finance may consider supporting investment projects in the southern provinces of the Kingdom. He stressed that Morocco does not view the growing support for its position on the Sahara as a privilege or a means of maintaining the status quo, but rather as a factor that can help bring about a resolution to a conflict that has lasted more than 50 years. Bourita noted that the United Nations and the international community now have a real opportunity to reach a definitive solution to this dispute, based on the Autonomy Initiative proposed by Morocco within the framework of its sovereignty. He expressed hope that all parties will engage seriously in finding a lasting resolution to the issue. Furthermore, Bourita described Lammy's visit to the Kingdom as "historic" in many respects. He explained that this is the first visit by a UK Foreign Secretary to Morocco since 2011, and it will allow for a qualitative leap in bilateral relations. It also provided an opportunity to hold the 5th session of the Strategic Dialogue between the two countries and to discuss various bilateral and regional issues. "This visit is also significant and historic in that it enabled the United Kingdom to express its position on the Moroccan Sahara," the minister added, noting that the joint communiqué signed on this occasion affirms that the United Kingdom "considers the Autonomy Proposal presented [by Morocco] in 2007 as the most credible, serious, and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution to the regional dispute" over the Moroccan Sahara, and "will continue to act at the bilateral level, particularly in economic matters, as well as regionally and internationally, in line with this position." Bourita also stated that this visit marks a turning point in relations between the two countries. He emphasized that, in line with the High Royal Directives aimed at diversifying and strengthening partnerships, Morocco has engaged in a dialogue to further develop "our bilateral relations based on the centuries-old ties between the two countries and the special relationship uniting the two Royal Families." As a result, the minister stressed that the two countries are working to inject new momentum into their bilateral relations and to elevate the Morocco-UK partnership to cover all sectors, including the economy, security, culture, defense, investment, education, and scientific research. In addition, Bourita recalled that four agreements were signed on this occasion, with more expected to be concluded in the coming two days, giving new impetus to Morocco–UK relations and ushering in a new era of bilateral cooperation. (MAP: 02 June 2025)
Maroc
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Maroc
Italian MPs Consider Morocco's Autonomy Plan as Serious, Credible, Realistic Solution to Sahara Issue
Italian parliamentarians said that the autonomy plan put forward by Morocco is a serious, credible and realistic solution that now stands out as a preferred path towards a peaceful settlement of this conflict. Speaking at the 2nd Policy Conference of the Coalition for Autonomy in the Sahara (AUSACO) in Dakhla on Tuesday, MPs Ettore Rosato and Ouidad Bakkali emphasized the growing momentum behind the Moroccan initiative, which continues to garner broadening international support. Rosato and Bakkali—members of the parliamentary intergroup supporting autonomy—called on the international community to take action to help resolve the Sahara issue. They also welcomed the socio-economic development in the Sahara region, which is establishing itself as a hub of peace and stability in the Sahel-Saharan area. AUSACO's central objective is to advocate within political, parliamentary, and academic circles for Morocco's Autonomy Initiative as the sole and definitive solution to the regional dispute. Additionally, Italian parliamentarians hailed the excellent bilateral relations, describing Morocco as an essential partner in addressing the challenges facing the Euro-Mediterranean region. They also highlighted the Kingdom's position as a bridge between Europe and Africa, as well as a gateway to the African continent. The 2nd edition of the AUSACO Policy Conferenc is held in Dakhla on April 29 and 30 under the theme "The New Reality of the Moroccan Sahara: A Pathway for a Revisited UN Approach in an Ever-Changing Geopolitical context." MAP: 29 avril 2025
Morocco World
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Hilale: ‘Sahara Occupation Ended with Provinces' Return to Morocco'
Doha – Morocco's Permanent Representative to the UN, Omar Hilale, fired back at Algeria in a strongly-worded letter to the Security Council Monday, dismantling what he termed 'fallacious and mendacious allegations' from Algeria's ambassador regarding the Western Sahara dispute. The diplomatic clash erupted after Algeria's Permanent Representative, Amar Bendjama, made what Morocco described as a 'tendentious declaration' during a Security Council meeting on 'Challenges related to forced displacement worldwide.' According to Hilale, Bendjama exploited the presence of High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi to spread misinformation about populations in the Tindouf camps. Hilale blasted the Algerian representative's characterization, asserting that people in Tindouf camps 'are not 'forcibly displaced persons' but rather populations sequestered against their will for half a century.' He charged that Algeria denies these populations their basic rights, including the choice to return to Morocco, settle in a third country, or integrate into Algeria. The Moroccan ambassador noted that these populations live in camps whose 'jurisdiction, control and management have been entrusted by Algeria to the armed separatist group 'Polisario,'' violating international law and Algeria's obligations as a host country — a situation denounced by the Human Rights Committee in its report CCPR/C/DZA/CO/4 of August 17, 2018. 'The occupation of the Sahara ended with the return of these provinces to their motherland Morocco, under the Madrid Agreements of November 1975,' Hilale declared, noting the UN General Assembly acknowledged this in resolution 34/58 B of December 1975. The Moroccan diplomat accused Algeria of failing to cooperate with UN agencies and humanitarian partners. He pointed out that Algeria has refused to allow the High Commissioner for Refugees to conduct a census and registration of populations in the Tindouf camps for over 50 years, despite clear directives from the Security Council since 2011. 'The absence of a census facilitates the diversion of humanitarian aid, which has pushed agencies and NGOs to reduce their assistance,' Hilale stated, citing reports from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the UNHCR Inspector General's Office, and the World Food Programme that confirmed aid diversion by Polisario and Algerian officials. No more talk of a referendum Regarding Algeria's purported call for a 'lasting solution' to the Sahara issue, Hilale derided it as 'smoke and mirrors,' explaining that a sustainable solution 'requires respecting Security Council resolutions calling for the resumption of the political process and roundtables—which Algeria has refused since Staffan de Mistura's appointment as the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for the Moroccan Sahara in October 2021.' Hilale asserted that the lasting solution lies in implementing Morocco's Autonomy Initiative, which the Security Council has described as 'serious and credible' for 18 years. He noted this initiative 'is widely considered by the international community as the sole basis for resolving this dispute, respecting the Kingdom's national sovereignty and territorial integrity.' The ambassador stated that 'Algeria's blindness' prevents it from realizing that this Initiative is supported by more than 100 UN member states, including two permanent Security Council members, the former occupying power of Western Sahara, and 23 European Union countries. He also evoked the latest Security Council resolution 2756 (2024) that welcomed the international momentum for Morocco's Autonomy Initiative. Hilale's letter concluded by denouncing Algeria's 'obsessive fixation' with a referendum, reminding that both the Security Council and General Assembly have 'definitively buried' this option since 2002 and 2003 respectively. He also recalled that the resolutions Algeria supported during the Algerian ambassador'sprevious term on the Security Council, as well as those he submits annually to the UN General Assembly's Fourth Committee, no longer make any reference to the referendum. The letter will be published as an official document of the UN Security Council. Notably, the fallacious allegations made by the Algerian diplomat were completely ignored in the High Commissioner for Refugees' response to members during the briefing. Read also: Omar Hilale: 50th Green March Anniversary Set for Definitive Western Sahara Closure Tags: Omar HilaleWestern sahara
Maroc
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Maroc
Support for Moroccan Sovereignty over Sahara & Autonomy Initiative Reflects International Consensus to Resolve This Regional Dispute
The international momentum, driven over the years by HM King Mohammed VI in favor of the Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and in support of the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, continues to gain strength. This growing support reflects a broad international consensus to resolve this regional dispute within the framework of Morocco's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. This momentum has seen significant developments since January 2025, particularly with the withdrawal of recognition of the so-called "SADR," the expansion of support for Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara and the Autonomy Initiative, and the ongoing momentum on the ground. On January 7, 2025, Ghana announced its decision to withdraw recognition of the so-called "SADR," aligning with the decisions made by Panama and Ecuador at the end of 2024. As a result, more than 85% of UN member states now do not recognize the entity. In parallel, over 30 countries have reaffirmed their full support for the Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and the Autonomy Initiative as the sole political solution to this regional issue. This brings the total number of supportive countries to 116, representing over 60% of UN member States. Among them, the United States reiterated its recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara and reaffirmed its endorsement of the autonomy proposal as a serious, credible, and realistic basis for a just and lasting solution. France has also reiterated its consistent position on three occasions since President Emmanuel Macron's address to the Moroccan Parliament in October 2024. This same momentum has been echoed by the six member States of the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as by numerous countries across Africa, Latin America, and Central Asia. Following the recent diplomatic tour by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates to several European capitals, four European countries, namely Spain, Estonia, France and Hungary, reaffirmed their positions, while two new countries—Croatia and Moldova—declared their support for the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative as the most serious basis for resolving this regional dispute. Hungary, for its part, has made political decisions to implement its recent position, including dispatching its ambassador to the Moroccan Sahara and expanding consular services to the Southern Provinces. Slovenia, through its Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tanja Fajon, stated on Friday that it appreciates the Moroccan autonomy initiative, presented by Morocco in 2007, as a good basis for a definitive solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara. The position of Slovenia, currently a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, was expressed at a press conference following talks in Ljubljana between Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita and Fajon. The issue of the Moroccan Sahara is therefore witnessing significant diplomatic developments, with growing international support for the autonomy initiative. Twenty-two European Union member states have now officially expressed their backing for this solution. On the ground, this clear support for the Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara was further demonstrated by the holding of two joint commissions in Laayoune on January 17, 2025, with Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia, both of which expressed their intention to contribute to regional socio-economic development in light of Morocco's Atlantic-focused strategies. These include the African Atlantic States Process, the Royal Initiative to Facilitate Sahel Access to the Atlantic, and the Nigeria-Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, in addition to large-scale infrastructure projects such as the Dakhla Atlantic Port, as part of the New Development Model for the Southern Provinces. Moreover, numerous foreign delegations continue to conduct economic missions to the region in support of its development and for the benefit of local populations. This growing international momentum in support of the Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and the Autonomy Initiative has now become an undeniable reality—sending a clear message to the United Nations and other stakeholders, which are now more than ever called upon to shoulder their responsibilities to end this artificial dispute, and move beyond rigid, outdated positions that are increasingly disconnected from the evolving political, diplomatic, and on-the-ground realities of the Moroccan Sahara. MAP: 18 avril 2025
Ya Biladi
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Sahara : Peruvian Congress calls on executive to support Moroccan autonomy initiative
On Monday, the Peruvian Congress called on Peru's Foreign Ministry to express its support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative for the Sahara and to recognize the viability and credibility of this proposal as «the only solid basis for the definitive resolution of this dispute». In a motion adopted by an overwhelming majority, the Peruvian Congress also urged the Foreign Ministry to «call, on behalf of Peru, on the international community to support this initiative, promoting dialogue and cooperation as essential tools for resolving this conflict once and for all». Highlighting that the dispute has «delayed the long-awaited development and integration of the peoples of the Maghreb region», the motion further calls on all parties involved to resume the round-table process in good faith and to keep negotiation channels open under UN auspices. It emphasizes the need for a spirit of mutual respect, trust, and commitment to achieve a lasting and consensual political solution. The motion, presented by deputies María del Carmen Alva Prieto and Ernesto Bustamante Donayre, recalls that the Moroccan autonomy initiative for the Sahara «has been considered by the international community as the only serious and credible basis for a just and lasting solution to this decades-long regional dispute». The Peruvian lawmakers argue that the Moroccan initiative not only promotes stability in the region but also seeks to guarantee the rights and freedoms of the local population within a framework that respects Morocco's sovereignty and territorial integrity. They note that over 120 countries—including Spain, the United States, France, Brazil, and Chile—have publicly supported the proposal, recognizing its contribution to peace, development, and well-being in North Africa, an objective shared by the international community. The motion also underscores the growing international support for Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara, affirming that a just and lasting political solution to the dispute is irreversible and must be based exclusively on the Moroccan autonomy plan within the framework of Morocco's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. In this context, it references UN Security Council Resolution 2756, adopted on October 30, 2024, which acknowledges Morocco's achievements in addressing the Sahara question and its ongoing efforts to secure a definitive and peaceful resolution to the dispute. Finally, the motion stresses that «Peru, as a country committed to respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states, has a duty to support the Autonomy Initiative presented by Morocco».
