Latest news with #C24
Morocco World
4 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Sahara: For Dominica, Morocco's Autonomy Plan ‘The Compromise Solution'
Doha – The Commonwealth of Dominica forcefully reasserted its 'full support' for Morocco's Autonomy Plan at the UN Committee of 24 (C24) regional seminar recently held in Dili, Timor-Leste, declaring it 'the solution of compromise' to the Western Sahara regional dispute. Dominica's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Philbert Aaron, proclaimed that the autonomy initiative aligns perfectly with international law, the UN Charter, and the resolutions of both the Security Council and General Assembly. 'The development of the Sahara has been manifested by the improvement of infrastructure and healthcare, education and housing,' Ambassador Aaron declared, commending Morocco's extensive development efforts that have transformed living conditions and created substantial opportunities for local populations. The diplomat renewed his country's call for continued engagement by Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the separatist Polisario group in the roundtable process, conforming to Security Council resolution 2703. He also spotlighted the UN Secretary-General's crucial role in advancing settlement efforts and recognized Staffan de Mistura's contribution in revitalizing the political process as the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for the Sahara. During the same C24 seminar, Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire amplified their support for Morocco's autonomy initiative. Senegal's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Diamane Diome, revealed that 117 countries—over 60% of UN member states, including two permanent Security Council members—back this initiative. Read also: Dominica Commends King Mohammed VI South-South Cooperation Vision He also trumpeted Morocco's human rights achievements in its southern provinces, which earned recognition in Security Council resolution 2756. Côte d'Ivoire's representative unequivocally reaffirmed his country's 'full support' for Morocco's proposal, underscoring how it empowers Sahara inhabitants to actively participate in the region's political and socio-economic management through democratic elections. Both African countries applauded Morocco's steadfast adherence to the ceasefire and military agreements while urging other parties to avoid actions undermining the political process. This is not the first time Dominica endorses Morocco's position. Earlier in April 2024, Dominica's Foreign Affairs Minister Vince Henderson restated his country's support for the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as the 'only credible, serious, and realistic solution' to the dispute over Western Sahara during talks with his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita in Rabat. In June 2024, Ambassador Aaron told the UN Committee of C24 that 'Dominica fully supports the autonomy plan presented by the Kingdom of Morocco to end the Sahara conflict and views it as the foundation for a realistic and pragmatic solution towards stability and peace in the region.' The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), of which Dominica has been a member since 1981, opened a consulate in Dakhla, Western Sahara on March 31, 2022, joining African and Arab countries that have established diplomatic missions there in a sign of support for Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces. Tags: Autonomy Plan for the SaharaThe Commonwealth of Dominica
Morocco World
5 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Sahara: Côte d'Ivoire Delivers Staunch Endorsement of Morocco's Autonomy Plan
Doha – Côte d'Ivoire has emphatically reaffirmed its 'full support' for Morocco's autonomy initiative to permanently end the artificial dispute over the Western Sahara. The declaration, not the first of its kind from the West African country, thundered once again during the UN Committee of 24 (C24) regional seminar in Dili, Timor-Leste, from May 21 to 23. The Ivorian representative trumpeted Morocco's substantial efforts toward a compromise-based political solution, driving home the point that the autonomy initiative has secured backing from 117 UN member states. This represents over 60% of UN member states, including two permanent Security Council members. The indisputable genuineness of Morocco's efforts in the Sahara He insisted that the initiative, which the Security Council has consistently deemed serious and credible, adheres fully to international law, the UN Charter, and pertinent UN resolutions. 'It uniquely accounts for the specificities of the Moroccan Sahara, giving its inhabitants the opportunity to actively participate in managing the political and socio-economic life of this region,' the diplomat proclaimed. He noted that these populations freely choose their local and national representatives through regular democratic elections across Morocco. The Ivorian diplomat celebrated the participation of elected officials from the Moroccan Sahara in the C24's proceedings. He spotlighted the economic windfall flowing to southern provinces' populations from massive investments made by Morocco under the new development model launched in 2015. These achievements have significantly raised living standards and improved the human development index in the Moroccan Sahara, he added. Côte d'Ivoire, one of over 30 countries that have chosen to open consulates in either Laâyoune or Dakhla, translated its affirmations into concrete diplomatic action by inaugurating a consulate general in Laâyoune on February 18, 2020. At the time, its diplomatic mission became the fifth representation established in the city, following consulates opened by the Union of Comoros in December 2019, as well as by Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe, and the Central African Republic in January 2020. The Ivorian representative also lauded Morocco's strengthened role of regional Human Rights Commissions in Laâyoune and Dakhla, and its exemplary cooperation with the High Commissioner for Human Rights. These 'commendable initiatives and actions deserve recognition and validate the credibility of the broad autonomy initiative,' he asserted. Senegal has likewise forcefully reaffirmed its support for Morocco's autonomy initiative during the same C24 seminar. Ambassador Diamane Diome declared that the initiative represents 'a compromise solution consistent with international law, the UN Charter, and various Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.' He also expressed satisfaction that Senegal opened a Consulate General in the Moroccan Sahara on April 5, 2021. The beginning of the end for Polisario's separatist illusions? Even countries that once championed the Algeria-sponsored Polisario Front have disavowed their past stances, turned the page, and reversed course—abandoning a failed, outdated position in favor of Morocco's credible Autonomy Plan. This wave of reversals now echoes inside the UN General Assembly, where Rabat's growing bloc of allies is preparing to strike at the heart of the separatist illusion by pushing for the Sahara's removal from the list of non-self-governing territories. Kenya recently joined countries describing Morocco's autonomy initiative as 'the only sustainable approach' to resolve the Sahara dispute, delivering a blistering blow that lays bare the hollowness of the Polisario separatist narrative. The Algeria-backed militia continues to squander Algiers' gas revenues on this hopeless cause while Rabat racks up one diplomatic victory after another. Both Ivorian and Senegalese representatives demanded continued engagement in the UN-led political process. In particular, the two West African diplomats stressed Morocco's exemplary compliance with military agreements while urging other parties to respect the ceasefire and cooperate with MINURSO. The tone, timing, and spirit of such appeals constitute a soberly resounding rebuke to Polisario's statehood dreams and Algeria's hegemonic aspirations. Tags: Autonomy Plan for the SaharaCote d'IvoireWestern sahara
Maroc
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Maroc
C24: The Sahara is Moroccan by History, Law and the Free Expression of its Populations
Morocco's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Omar Hilale, affirmed during the regional seminar of the UN Committee of 24 (C24) for the Pacific that the Sahara is Moroccan by history, law, and the free expression of its populations. "The Sahara is Moroccan by history, law, and the free expression of its populations. It is now time for other parties to recognize this and build together a future of peace, stability, and cooperation for our region and our continent," Hilale emphasized during this seminar, held from May 21 to 23 in Dili, Timor-Leste. The ambassador also denounced Algeria's delaying tactics that are hindering the resolution of the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, as well as its strategy of destabilization in the Maghreb region and beyond. "Despite Morocco's commitments and the United Nations' constant efforts, the political process to settle this regional dispute continues to be hampered by Algeria's delaying tactics, which, while claiming not to be a party to the conflict, nevertheless plays a central role," he said, noting that Algeria hosts, arms, finances, and diplomatically supports the separatist group "polisario," and persists in an unrealistic and destabilizing stance in the region. He pointed out that in the face of this impasse maintained by Algeria, the international community seems to have made a decision, citing in this regard the ongoing withdrawal of recognition of the puppet entity, while more than 116 States around the world have expressed explicit support for the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative. Similarly, around thirty countries have opened consulates general in Laayoune and Dakhla, thus recognizing Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces, he added. Referring to the Committee's continued examination of the Moroccan Sahara issue, ambassador Hilale noted that this situation wrongly condemns the issue to a rigid interpretation through a prism disconnected from the profound evolution that this issue has undergone and continues to undergo. "As you know, upon its accession to the United Nations, the Kingdom of Morocco initiated efforts with the 4th Committee and the C24 for the liberation of its Sahara from colonial rule. After nearly two decades of tough negotiations, Morocco was able to recover its Saharan provinces by virtue of the Madrid Agreement of November 1975, which the United Nations General Assembly acknowledged in its Resolution 3458B of December 1975," the ambassador emphasized. He added that since then, and following Algeria's creation of the armed separatist group "polisario," the question of the Moroccan Sahara has become a matter of peace and security, justifying its treatment by the Security Council under Chapter VI of the United Nations Charter for the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes. He further noted that the Security Council has definitively ruled out the option of a "self-determination referendum," which had been raised by some, emphasizing that the UN Secretary-General concluded in his report of February 17, 2000 (S/2000/131) that "an orderly and consensual implementation of the Settlement Plan" was impossible. Since then, the Security Council has resolutely turned towards finding a mutually acceptable political solution, in line with the reality on the ground and the imperatives of regional stability, he said, recalling that all Security Council resolutions underline the need to reach a political solution based on compromise. In Hilale's view, this paradigm shift reflects the United Nations' desire to move away from a rigid, binary approach and embrace an approach adapted to the evolving global perception of the situation and respectful of international law. "These developments have paved the way for the emergence of the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative as the sole basis for a lasting settlement in accordance with international law," the ambassador said, affirming that this Initiative, presented in 2007 and described by the Security Council as serious and credible, indeed constitutes an innovative and bold proposal for resolving this dispute. It provides for the granting of broad autonomy to the populations of the Sahara within the framework of the sovereignty and the territorial unity of the Kingdom of Morocco, he continued. Morocco's Permanent Representative to the UN also underlined that the Kingdom remains committed to a lasting political solution and extends its hand to all those who sincerely wish to turn the page on this regional dispute and pave the way for cooperation that is beneficial to all. He noted, however, that "this commitment cannot be one-sided or eternal. It presupposes a genuine desire for dialogue on the part of the other parties, particularly Algeria, whose role can no longer be ignored. The key to progress in the political process lies in Algiers, as the former Personal Envoy, the late Peter Van Walssum, noted in 2008." The Ambassador affirmed that the time has come to reassess with clarity and courage the way this issue is being addressed within this Committee. Mr. Hilale, along with Moroccan Ambassador to Jakarta Redouane Houssaini, is leading an important delegation to the C24 regional seminar. The delegation is composed of several officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Abroad, in addition to the Vice President of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs (CORCAS). Two elected officials from the Moroccan Sahara, Ms. Ghalla Bahiya from the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab Region and Mr. M'hamed Abba from the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra Region, are participating in this seminar at the invitation of the Committee's President, as has been the case for several years. MAP:22 mai 2025
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
The Colony Next Door -West Papua
Press Release – AWPA Joe Collins of AWPA said, 'Yes, the international community recognises Indonesian sovereignty over West Papua, and West Papua is not on the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories, but it should be'. 21 May 2025 The Special Committee on Decolonization (C24) is set to meet in Dili, Timor-Leste, from May 21 to 23, 2025 for its Pacific Regional Seminar . The event is part of the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, which spans from 2021 to 2030. As the Committee meets in Dili, there will be blind spot in their discussions, the forgotten colony next door-West Papua. Joe Collins of AWPA said, 'Yes, the international community recognises Indonesian sovereignty over West Papua, and West Papua is not on the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories, but it should be'. A colony is a country or area under the full or partial political control of another country, typically a distant one, and occupied by settlers from that country. West Papua is a classic case. 62 years ago, the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA) transferred West Papua to Indonesian administration, who then removed it from the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories. And yes, Indonesia did hold a referendum in 1969, the so-called 'Act of Free Choice', which was a sham and is referred to by West Papuans as the act of no free choice. The C24 must know about the ongoing human rights abuses in the territory. The situation in the territory is seriously deteriorating with regular armed clashes between the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB ) and the Indonesian security forces. West Papuans continue to be arrested at peaceful demonstrations and Papuans risk being charged with treason for taking part in the rallies. There are over 80,000 internally displaced people (IDPs), many facing starvation because they fear returning to their food gardens because of the Indonesian security forces operations in the highlands. Joe Collins said, 'West Papua is a complete failure by the UN to protect the people of West Papua. Although we cannot expect the C24 Committee to review the situation of West Papua at this stage, it is up to the countries in the region to seriously lobby the UN on the human rights situation in the territory. This is a fear from Jakarta, the internationalisation of the issue of West Papua and why Jakarta is targeting the Pacific leaders with aid, to convince them to stop supporting the West Papuan struggle'. Jakarta granted Fiji $6 million in financial aid and offered to cooperate with them on military training. If some of the governments in the region are wavering in their support, the people of the Pacific are not. The NGO Coalition on Human Rights in Fiji (NGOCHR). has expressed 'deep concern over the Fiji Prime Minister's ongoing engagements with Indonesia'. The Chair of the NGOCHR said 'As members of the Melanesian and Pacific family, bound by shared ancestry and identity, the acceptance of financial and any other benefit from Indonesia—while remaining silent on the plight of West Papua—is a betrayal of our family member and of regional solidarity.' 'True leadership must be rooted in solidarity, justice, and accountability.' The West Papuan people will continue their struggle for self-determination. Time for the countries in the region including Australia to take the issue seriously .
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
The Colony Next Door -West Papua
Press Release – AWPA Joe Collins of AWPA said, 'Yes, the international community recognises Indonesian sovereignty over West Papua, and West Papua is not on the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories, but it should be'. 21 May 2025 The Special Committee on Decolonization (C24) is set to meet in Dili, Timor-Leste, from May 21 to 23, 2025 for its Pacific Regional Seminar . The event is part of the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, which spans from 2021 to 2030. As the Committee meets in Dili, there will be blind spot in their discussions, the forgotten colony next door-West Papua. Joe Collins of AWPA said, 'Yes, the international community recognises Indonesian sovereignty over West Papua, and West Papua is not on the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories, but it should be'. A colony is a country or area under the full or partial political control of another country, typically a distant one, and occupied by settlers from that country. West Papua is a classic case. 62 years ago, the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA) transferred West Papua to Indonesian administration, who then removed it from the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories. And yes, Indonesia did hold a referendum in 1969, the so-called 'Act of Free Choice', which was a sham and is referred to by West Papuans as the act of no free choice. The C24 must know about the ongoing human rights abuses in the territory. The situation in the territory is seriously deteriorating with regular armed clashes between the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB ) and the Indonesian security forces. West Papuans continue to be arrested at peaceful demonstrations and Papuans risk being charged with treason for taking part in the rallies. There are over 80,000 internally displaced people (IDPs), many facing starvation because they fear returning to their food gardens because of the Indonesian security forces operations in the highlands. Joe Collins said, 'West Papua is a complete failure by the UN to protect the people of West Papua. Although we cannot expect the C24 Committee to review the situation of West Papua at this stage, it is up to the countries in the region to seriously lobby the UN on the human rights situation in the territory. This is a fear from Jakarta, the internationalisation of the issue of West Papua and why Jakarta is targeting the Pacific leaders with aid, to convince them to stop supporting the West Papuan struggle'. Jakarta granted Fiji $6 million in financial aid and offered to cooperate with them on military training. If some of the governments in the region are wavering in their support, the people of the Pacific are not. The NGO Coalition on Human Rights in Fiji (NGOCHR). has expressed 'deep concern over the Fiji Prime Minister's ongoing engagements with Indonesia'. The Chair of the NGOCHR said 'As members of the Melanesian and Pacific family, bound by shared ancestry and identity, the acceptance of financial and any other benefit from Indonesia—while remaining silent on the plight of West Papua—is a betrayal of our family member and of regional solidarity.' 'True leadership must be rooted in solidarity, justice, and accountability.' The West Papuan people will continue their struggle for self-determination. Time for the countries in the region including Australia to take the issue seriously .
