UN/Sahara: Rabat reaffirms commitment to finding political solution based on Autonomy Plan

Morocco has reiterated at the UN General Assembly its firm commitment to finding a lasting political solution to the Sahara regional conflict on the basis of autonomy, under its sovereignty.

In his address Tuesday at the 77th UNGA meeting of world leaders, Head of Govt. Aziz Akhannouch said the autonomy offered by the Kingdom within the frame of its territorial integrity is the ONLY solution to the Sahara issue, affirming that the “serious and realistic” initiative proposed by Rabat is backed by the United Nations and over 90 States.

Morocco’s southern provinces continue their socioeconomic progress within the framework of the New Development Model, which was tailored for the region and launched by King Mohammed VI in 2015, said Mr. Akhannouch noting that the local inhabitants participate actively in the implementation of the inclusive New Development Model through their democratically elected representatives.

The active participation of the inhabitants of the Moroccan Sahara in the political, economic, social and cultural life confirms their full attachment to the territorial integrity of the Kingdom and the Moroccanness of the Sahara, underlined Mr. Akhannouch.

He reiterated Morocco’s full support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to re-launch the round table process with the same participants in order to reach a realistic and lasting political solution, based on consensus and in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, especially resolution 2602.

For Head of the Moroccan Government, the resolution of the Sahara issue hinges on the serious and responsible participation of Algeria in the UN-led round-table process because the Algerian regime is a party to the Sahara conflict as it arms, funds and shelters the Polisario separatist militias with links to terror organizations.

He also voiced Morocco’s deep concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Tindouf camps, in Southern Algeria, wherein sequestered Sahrawis suffer serious human violations, abuses and ill-treatment, urging the international community to exert pressure on Algeria, which is violating international law, to allow UNHCR to conduct a census of the Sahrawis held in Tindouf against their will.