Turnout in general elections, growing investments, opening of consulates enshrine Moroccanness of Sahara -UNSG report

The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has pointed out in his latest annual report on the Moroccan Sahara to the Security Council, the political development and Morocco’s diplomatic achievements in the Sahara over the past year.

The UN Secretary General has thus informed the Security Council members about the holding of general, legislative, regional and local elections, on September 8, 2021, in Morocco, including in the Sahara, stressing that the turnout in the Sahara region, was the highest at the national level. This is a new confirmation, through the ballot box, to the irrefutable attachment of the citizens of the southern provinces to their Moroccanness, as it was underlined by Morocco.

In addition, Guterres emphasized the economic and infrastructural development of the Sahara, as well as the continuation of Morocco’s investments in its Saharan provinces.

Morocco continues to invest in the development of infrastructure in the Sahara, he said, recalling in this connection the signing of four agreements relating to a seawater desalination project in the city of Dakhla, which should have a capacity of 37 million cubic meters of water per year.

Also, Guterres noted the development of infrastructure in the region of Guergarat. In this context, he informed the Council members that the MINURSO Force Commander visited the Guergarat region in September 2021, where he observed new commercial developments, infrastructure and facilities.

The Security Council is scheduled to examine the Sahara issue later this month to renew the mandate of the MINURSO that expires on October 31.