Sahara: Benin reaffirms unwavering support for Morocco’s “credible & realistic” Autonomy Initiative
The government of Benin has reaffirmed strong support for the autonomy plan offered by Morocco for the Sahara under its sovereignty, saying the plan is the ONLY “credible and realistic solution” to the Sahara regional conflict.
The supportive stand comes in a joint statement issued in Rabat following the meeting held Tuesday between Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita and Benin’s peer Olushegun Adjadi Bakari.
Mr. Bakari also voiced his country’s steadfast backing to the efforts of the UN, the exclusive framework for achieving a realistic, practical, and lasting solution to the Sahara dispute.
He said that he is planning to visit the Moroccan Saharan city of Dakhla to see its socioeconomic inclusive development, modern infrastructures, the landmark “Dakhla-Atlantic port” project, and get informed about local democratic governance.
Bourita thanked Benin for its constant support for the Moroccan Sahara and the Kingdom’s territorial integrity, lauding the participation of this West African country in the virtual Ministerial Conference in support of the Autonomy Initiative under Moroccan sovereignty, organized in 2021 by Morocco and the U.S.
In the joint statement, Benin also commended the constant efforts made by Morocco, under the wise and enlightened leadership of King Mohammed VI, to promote peace and development in Africa.
In this context, Bakari praised the pioneering role played by King Mohammed VI in the political, economic, security and religious fields.
Regarding regional and international issues of common interest, the two sides noted with satisfaction their convergence of views on the various questions raised, reiterating their determination to participate in the settlement of disputes in Africa.
They also welcomed the momentum generated by the Atlantic African States Initiative, which aims to make the Atlantic African space a geostrategic framework for pragmatic and timely intra-African cooperation and consultation.
The two parties also agreed to support, in a concerted and mutual manner, the Moroccan and Beninese candidacies at the level of regional and international bodies, said the joint statement.
