During the new ordinary session of the UN Committee of 24 (C24) in New York (June 10-21), several countries reiterated their support for the autonomy initiative in the Moroccan Sahara. The head of the Sahrawi Media and Human Rights Observatory, Mohamed Salem Abdelfattah, explains to Barlamane.com the scope of these developments and their effect on the evolution of the case.
First, he notes the constancy of the positions of friendly or allied countries of Morocco, coupled with increasingly increased support for the plan proposed by the Kingdom since 2007, noting that this is in line with the current trend in the file more favorable to the consecration, in fact, of Moroccan sovereignty, contrary to the ebb of the camp spreading the separatist thesis and the Algerian propaganda. The international community is following the evolution of this conflict very closely due to its regional nature involving two neighboring countries, namely Morocco and Algeria, notes the expert, who considers that the misleading slogans of the right to self-determination no longer has the same appeal.
The positions expressed within the C24 are consistent with the international approach formulated in the Security Council reports, the legal basis of which is motivated by respect for the principles of territorial integrity and good neighborliness. The overall framework set by King Mohammed VI for the settlement of this conflict concerns the establishment of equal relations with the parties concerned and the Kingdom’s partners, as well as a firm attitude on this issue, which rejects ambivalent positions and requiring clarity from both sides, assures the expert.
“More than a hundred countries in the world have recognized the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco to resolve the Sahara issue (…) which means that we are moving towards a definitive solution within the framework of this option”declared the head of Moroccan diplomacy Nasser Bourita, Tuesday June 11.
