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Politics

Morocco's Autonomy Plan for Sahara Gains Momentum on Global Stage

Thursday 17 - 16:20

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The international community's growing support for Morocco's autonomy initiative reflects a widespread endorsement of the Kingdom's vision for the future of Sahara, according to Omar Hilale, Morocco's Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Speaking before the UN General Assembly's Fourth Committee in New York, Ambassador Hilale highlighted the significant backing the Moroccan proposal has received. Over 100 member states from various regions, including two permanent members of the Security Council and 19 European Union countries, have expressed their firm support for the Moroccan initiative as the sole credible basis for a political solution.

Hilale pointed to the recent establishment of consulates general by approximately 30 countries in the cities of Laayoune and Dakhla as "irrefutable proof" of international recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara region.

The ambassador emphasized that Morocco's autonomy initiative, which operates within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty, is the exclusive foundation for resolving this regional dispute. He stated that the plan ensures local populations can manage their affairs while promoting the revival of the Arab Maghreb based on universal principles of good neighborliness, sustainable development, and regional stability.

Hilale drew attention to the initiative's alignment with the Future Pact adopted last month in New York, suggesting that it represents a forward-thinking approach. He called on Algeria to heed this message and recognize that its separatist project for the Sahara has irreversibly failed after 50 years.

In his concluding remarks, the ambassador asserted, "The Sahara returned to being Moroccan in 1975, as it has been since time immemorial."

This diplomatic development signifies a potential shift in the long-standing Sahara issue, with Morocco's autonomy plan gaining traction on the international stage. As global support coalesces around this proposal, it may pave the way for new dialogues and potential resolutions in this complex regional matter.