Algeria Urged to Acknowledge Failure of Separatist Project in Sahara

Friday 18 October 2024 - 08:50

Morocco’s ambassador to the United Nations, Omar Hilale, emphasized the growing international support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for Sahara during a Fourth Committee session of the UN General Assembly in New York. He highlighted that over 100 member states across various regions endorse the plan, including key global actors such as the United States and France, along with 19 EU countries and several regional organizations.

Hilale pointed out that both the US and France have officially recognized Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces, with the US making this recognition in December 2020 and France reaffirming its support in July 2023. This expanding international backing underscores the global community’s increasing acceptance of Morocco’s autonomy initiative as the only credible solution to the long-standing regional dispute.

Additionally, the ambassador underscored the significance of opening general consulates in the southern cities of Laayoune and Dakhla as further proof of Morocco's sovereignty. He described the autonomy initiative as a framework that promotes sustainable development, regional stability, and the principles of good neighborliness, while allowing local populations to manage their own affairs.

Hilale also called attention to Algeria's involvement in the conflict, urging the Algerian regime to acknowledge the "irretrievable failure" of its separatist agenda regarding Sahara. He stressed that Algeria continues to play a central role by hosting, financing, and supporting the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the region in opposition to Morocco's territorial claims. Despite numerous efforts by the UN to mediate, Algeria has refused to participate in roundtable discussions aimed at resolving the issue through a mutually agreed political solution.

In his remarks, Hilale reiterated that the Moroccan Autonomy Plan remains the only viable path forward, fostering hopes for regional cooperation and a peaceful resolution in line with international standards.