UNC-24: GCC, Gabon & Senegal Reiterate Recognition of Moroccanness of Sahara
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Gabon, and Senegal have reiterated separately their firm recognition of Morocco’s full sovereignty over its entire Sahara territory, commending the realistic autonomy plan offered by the Kingdom for a lasting and peaceful resolution of the regional conflict.
In a joint statement read out by the representative of Qatar on behalf of the Gulf regional bloc at the ongoing United Nations C-24 meeting convening in New York, the six-member Arab Gulf group (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) stressed the importance of the special strategic partnership existing between GCC and Rabat, saying they support Morocco’s security, stability, and territorial integrity.
The powerful Arab political & economic organization welcomed the latest resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council on the Sahara, reaffirmed unwavering backing to the serious efforts made by Morocco and the international community to reach a peaceful solution to this regional dispute, urging all parties to the conflict to show wisdom and a spirit of compromise for peace and stability in the region.
For his part, the Delegate of Gabon expressed his country’s support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative offering a realistic solution to the Sahara issue in line with international law, UN Charter, resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly.
More than 107 UN member states support the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco, he said, noting that thirty countries from the Arab world, Africa, Latin America and Asia have opened consulates in Moroccan Saharan cities of Laayoune and Dakhla. The move confirms their recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces, becoming a regional hub of development, stability, and shared prosperity.
The Gabonese diplomat praised the socio-economic development spurred in the Sahara thanks to the huge investments and inclusive projects carried out in the region.
He also hailed the efforts made by the UN Sahara envoy to advance the UN-led political process and called for the resumption of the round-table talks with the participation of four stakeholders namely Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the polisario in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 2703.
The Representative of Senegal reiterated his country’s steadfast support for Morocco’ autonomy initiative described as “serious and credible” by the UN Security Council resolutions since 2007, saying the Moroccan proposed plan for the Sahara is backed by over 100 UN member states.
The plan has been strengthened by major investments and projects launched in the region, contributing to its social and economic development benefiting to the local inhabitants who enjoy freedoms and political rights contrary to the deplorable situation in the Tindouf camps, said the permanent representative of Senegal to the UN.
He also commended the efforts engaged by UN envoy Staffan de Mistura in a bid to re-launch the political process under the exclusive auspices of the United Nations.
