Sahara: Saint Lucia supports Morocco’s Autonomy Plan & lauds Royal Atlantic Initiative

Saint Lucia has reiterated steadfast support for Morocco’s autonomy plan offered for the Sahara under its sovereignty, saying this plan is the ONLY realistic and viable solution to the Sahara regional dispute.

The supportive stand comes in a joint statement issued in Rabat following the meeting held Friday between Foreign minister of this Eastern Caribbean country Alva Romanus Baptiste and Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita.

The top diplomat of Saint Lucia reaffirmed his country’s attachment to the UN-exclusive role for achieving a realistic, practical and lasting solution to the Sahara. He applauded the growing international support for Morocco’s autonomy plan and for the full sovereignty of the Kingdom over its entire Sahara territory.

Saint Lucia paid tribute to the Royal initiative offering Atlantic access to Sahel countries, saying the move will promote shared prosperity, growth and stability in the region within the frame of South-South cooperation based on a win-win partnership.

Saint Lucia is a member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). In 2018, the OECS opened an Embassy in Rabat. Four years later, this Caribbean inter-governmental organization opened a Consulate in Dakhla, a move confirming recognition of the Moroccanness of the Sahara by the OECS.

This regional grouping includes Antigua & Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.