07-04-2025
Ould Errachid: UN Remains Sole Legitimate Framework for Western Sahara
Doha – Speaking at a public debate during the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Tashkent, Mohamed Ould Errachid, President of the House of Councillors, declared that certain parties have been exploiting international forums to raise the Western Sahara issue outside the United Nations framework.
'Some parties have made it a habit to exploit international forums to raise the Western Sahara question outside the UN framework and UN process, which remain the sole legitimate framework to address this regional dispute,' Ould Errachid stated Monday in Uzbekistan's capital.
Ould Errachid, who represents the southern provinces in local and regional councils and hails from Laayoune, voiced that such attempts reflect 'premeditated intentions to exploit the Western Sahara issue for narrow geopolitical purposes, serving agendas planned behind the scenes.'
Such 'deviant attitude' does not serve population interests nor shows real willingness to contribute to efforts aimed at reaching a political solution to this regional dispute, he added.
The House of Councillors President also noted the UN General Assembly President's decision to appoint Morocco's permanent representative as co-facilitator of the UN negotiation process for the upcoming World Social Development Summit's political declaration, calling it a recognition of Morocco's role as a 'responsible and committed actor.'
'The principles of non-alignment guide our path'
During Sunday's Fourth Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network, Ould Errachid outlined Morocco's strategic vision based on promoting international peace and security.
He stated that Morocco 'firmly defends' the principles that inspired the Non-Aligned Movement's creation, including 'respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence of states, non-interference in internal affairs, and peaceful conflict resolution.'
He referenced King Mohammed VI's launch of 'strategic and fruitful partnerships' and 'pioneering initiatives' to strengthen cooperation and solidarity, particularly in the South.
These strategic projects, he noted, aim to enhance regional security and stability while promoting sustainable development, especially at African and Atlantic levels.
Strategic diplomatic dialogues
The Moroccan parliamentary leader also convened a series of momentous bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the IPU Assembly, which runs from April 5 to 9.
In one such meeting with Bahrain's Council of Representatives President Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam, both officials pledged to strengthen parliamentary visits and experience-sharing. They also discussed activating the friendship group's role and coordinating efforts in international parliamentary forums.
During a separate meeting with Kazakhstan's Parliament Speaker Yerlan Koshanov, the latter similarly called for leveraging both countries' strategic positions and economic potential.
Koshanov proposed establishing a logistics platform to enhance trade exchanges, while Ould Errachid welcomed the bilateral agreement to create a joint governmental commission and a Morocco-Kazakhstan business council.
In another key engagement, discussions with Azerbaijan's Parliament Speaker Sahiba Gafarova centered on expanding collaboration between parliamentary committees.
Gafarova detailed the institutional framework of the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement under Azerbaijan's chairmanship, while Ould Errachid reaffirmed Morocco's interest in cooperating with the network to address global challenges.
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