Sahara issue, Morocco’s benchmark to measure efficiency of partnerships- King says
Buoyed by recent regional and international support for its sovereignty over the Sahara territory, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI called on other countries that have yet to make their positions on the artificial clear to take an unambiguous stand.
“the Sahara issue is the lens through which Morocco looks at the world. It is the clear, simple benchmark whereby my country measures the sincerity of friendships and the efficiency of partnerships,” said the Monarch in a speech marking the 69th anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People.
The King, therefore, said he expects from some states among Morocco’s partners- whose stances concerning the Moroccanness of the Sahara are ambiguous- to clarify their positions and reconsider them in a manner that leaves no room for doubt.
The call comes in a context of positive momentum in favor of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara at the regional and international levels.
The US has recognized since 2020 Morocco’s sovereignty over the territory, a position the King said is “not affected by a change of Administration, nor is it influenced by new circumstances.
Spain ”our neighbour that is well aware the origins and the reality of the dispute,” also supported Morocco’s autonomy plan under the Kingdom’s territorial integrity, the king said.
“This positive stance has paved the way for a new chapter in the Moroccan-Spanish partnership – a chapter that is not affected by regional circumstances or by domestic political developments,” he said.
Many countries in Europe followed Spain’s suite in supporting the autonomy plan including, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Hungary, Cyprus and Romania.
Their positions “will contribute to ushering in a new era of trust-based relations, and will help strengthen the qualitative partnership with these friendly countries,” said the King.
The Moroccan sovereign also voiced satisfaction with the growing support for Morocco’s legitimate rights in the Sahara, expressing appreciation to the Kings, Emirs and Presidents of Arab sister nations, particularly those of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Djibouti and the Comoro Islands, which have opened consulates in Laayoune and Dakhla.
“I also wish to extend my thanks to the other Arab countries which have consistently confirmed their support for the Moroccanness of the Sahara, especially the Gulf Cooperation Council States, Egypt and Yemen,” he said.
“In the same vein, I should like to say how much I value the position adopted by our brothers in Africa; approximately 40% of African countries from five regional groups have opened consulates in Laayoune and Dakhla,” the King added.
“This dynamic trend also includes countries from Latin America and the Caribbean, as a number of states from those regions have opened consulates in the Moroccan Sahara, while others have chosen to extend their consulate jurisdiction to cover the Kingdom’s southern provinces as well,” he said.
