Sahara: FM reiterates Gabon’s unconditional support for Morocco’s sovereignty

Morocco “will always have the unconditional and continued support of Gabon regarding the Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara,” Gabon’s Foreign Minister Régis Onanga Ndiaye, said Monday in Rabat.

“I would like to reaffirm that Morocco has always been a privileged partner of Gabon, and in this context the Kingdom of Morocco will always have the unconditional and continued support of my country regarding the Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara,” Onanga Ndiaye told the media following talks with his Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita, on the sidelines of the High-Level Ministerial Conference on Middle-Income Countries held in Rabat.

The head of Gabonese diplomacy underlined that his country has always affirmed, on bilateral and multilateral levels, its support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, and that “this position is crystal clear, as evidenced by the opening of a Consulate General in Laâyoune which is operating perfectly with the support of the highest Moroccan authorities”.

He also welcomed the excellent political and diplomatic relations between the two countries, calling for further promoting bilateral cooperation, particularly around innovative issues.

The Gabonese official reiterated the importance of the upcoming joint commission meeting between Morocco and Gabon, and welcomed the presence of numerous Moroccan companies which contribute to the development of Gabon’s industry and commerce.

As to his talks with Bourita, Onanga Ndiaye pointed out that they covered the political situation in Gabon, and that the two parties examined the transition timeline and evolution “which is taking place under the best conditions.”

“I would like to thank the Kingdom of Morocco for the support it offers to Gabon, both bilaterally and multilaterally, given that Morocco is the chair of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, where Gabon issue is being discussed,” he noted.