Morocco's Diplomatic Engagement: Nasser Bourita Meets UN Envoy
In a significant diplomatic engagement, Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, held discussions with Staffan De Mistura, the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Sahara, on Sunday in New York. This meeting took place on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, at De Mistura's request, as reported by the Moroccan Permanent Mission to the UN.
The conversation, which also included Ambassador Omar Hilale, Morocco's Permanent Representative to the UN, provided an opportunity to highlight the current international dynamics fostered by His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The King’s initiatives aim to bolster Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara territory and have garnered support from numerous countries advocating for the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative.
During the meeting, the Moroccan delegation reiterated four key principles regarding its stance on Sahara, as articulated by King Mohammed VI:
- Support for UN Efforts : A commitment to assist the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy in pursuing a realistic, pragmatic, and sustainable political solution based on compromise.
- Autonomy as the Sole Solution : Advocacy for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the only viable resolution to this regional dispute.
- Inclusive Dialogues : Emphasis on roundtable discussions involving all parties, particularly Algeria, as the exclusive framework for this process, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2703 dated October 30, 2023.
- Ceasefire Compliance : A call for strict adherence to the ceasefire by other parties as a prerequisite for advancing the political dialogue.
De Mistura is expected to engage with other stakeholders during his time in New York, furthering discussions on this complex issue.