UN-Sahara: More African countries reaffirm support to Morocco’s sovereignty over its Southern Provinces

Several African countries have reiterated at the United Nations their crystal-clear recognition of the Moroccanness of the Sahara and commended the realistic autonomy plan offered by the North African Kingdom for a lasting resolution of this regional conflict fueled by Algeria.

Addressing the UN fourth Committee, the ambassador of Sierra Leone reaffirmed her country’s unwavering support for the ongoing and exclusive United Nations political process and welcomed the nomination of Staffan De Mistura as the Secretary-General’s new personal envoy for the Sahara.

She also expressed hope for a third Sahara roundtable meeting with the participation of all parties to the conflict and renewed Sierra Leone’s full support for the “realistic” and practical autonomy initiative which promotes compromise for a lasting peaceful solution.

The Representative of Eswatini also reiterated his country’s firm support for a political solution, based on compromise, to the regional dispute over the Sahara, and described Morocco’s proposed autonomy initiative as the “only serious and credible political solution”.

He welcomed Morocco’s commitment to relaunching the UN-led political process and to the ceasefire agreement, which continues to hold, labeling as a “positive step” the two roundtable meetings held in Geneva on the Sahara.

“Achieving a political solution to that long-standing dispute will not only enhance cooperation between members of the Maghreb Union but will also contribute to stability and security in the Sahel region at large”, he said.

He further applauded the holding of the legislative, regional and communal elections in the Sahara, saying the high voter turnout is an expression of the local population’s commitment to Morocco’s democratic process.

The Delegate of Gambia hailed the efforts deployed by Morocco to resolve the Sahara issue, recalling the opening of a General consulate of this West African country in Dakhla in January 2020.

She called for the resumption of dialogue to find a peaceful solution to the Sahara regional conflict and reaffirmed her country’s full support to the legitimate sovereignty rights of Morocco over its entire Sahara territory.