Sahara: UNSG highlights Spain’s support for Autonomy Plan; commends Morocco’s cooperation with MINURSO

The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has highlighted in his latest report to the Security Council on the Sahara issue, Spain’s position that “considers the autonomy plan presented by Morocco in 2007 to be the most serious, credible and realistic basis for resolving” the dispute.

In his report, Guterres mentions the letter addressed on March 14, 2022 to King Mohammed VI by the head of the Spanish government, stating clearly Spain’s position on this issue.

Spain’s support for the autonomy initiative is a further recognition of the credibility of the Moroccan proposal and the fact that it comes from Spain, given its historical role as a former colonial power, reinforces its weight and symbolism.

The report also refers to the reaction of Algeria, which in opposition to Spain’s decision, however sovereign, decided to recall its ambassador in Madrid for consultations, and resorted to its usual tactics of intimidation, through suspending the treaty of friendship, neighborhood and cooperation with Spain.

Similarly, the UN Secretary General’s report mentions the virulent reaction of the polisario which, following this letter, decided to suspend its contacts with the Spanish government, thus mimicking its Algerian mentor.

Spain’s decision, which is in line with the broad and growing international recognition of Morocco’s legitimate rights over its Sahara, only reaffirms the realism, pragmatism and seriousness of the Moroccan autonomy initiative, supported by the Security Council and more than 90 countries in the world, as the basis for resolving this regional dispute.

In his report, the UN Chief also highlighted the quality of cooperation between Moroccan authorities and MINURSO and expressed special thanks to the Moroccan government for its full cooperation on issues related to Covid-19, stressing that the Royal Armed Forces and the Ministry of Health have continued to provide MINURSO’s military and civilian personnel with anti-Covid vaccinations.

Guterres underscored the full cooperation and ongoing communication at the strategic level between MINURSO and the Royal Armed Forces, including through numerous visits by the MINURSO Force Commander and the Acting Force Commander to FAR headquarters between November 2021 and August 2022.

In this connection, he welcomed the freedom of movement enjoyed by MINURSO in the Sahara, which allows it, he stated, to implement its mandate in the best possible operational conditions.

Guterres likewise commended the strengthened commitment of Morocco with its Special Representative, Alexander Ivanko.