This Wednesday, November 6, 2024, we celebrate the 49th anniversary of the Green March, a peaceful march which not only marked a political, diplomatic and historical turning point for the Kingdom, but also redefined its place on the international scene. This commemoration takes place this year in a context of significant progress concerning the Sahara issue, thus strengthening the legitimacy and credibility of the Moroccan autonomy plan.
« The commemoration of the 49th anniversary of the Green March is part of a dynamic of notable political and diplomatic consolidation for Morocco. This context is illustrated by growing and decisive support from several influential international powers who adopt the Moroccan point of view, resolutely supporting the autonomy initiative and recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty, with major actors such as the States leading the way. -United and France“, underlined Mohamed Salem Abdelfattah, president of the Sahrawi Observatory of Media and Human Rights.
The specialist clarified Hespress FR that these two nations occupy a determining role on the regional and international scale. France, heir to its past as a colonizer in the region, is not only the main foreign investor in Morocco, but also a leading economic partner, he recalled.
At the same time, the United States, as the world superpower, drafts the Security Council resolutions concerning the Sahara question and positions itself as the main donors of the UN mission in the region. These two countries, with the status of permanent members benefiting from the right of veto in the Security Council, are accompanied by Spain, a key player and former colonizer of the territory, highlighted our interlocutor.
And to add: “ These positions have strengthened the diplomatic momentum accumulated by Morocco, highlighting the fact that a dozen countries have recognized and support the Moroccan autonomy initiative. Among them, thirty countries have opened diplomatic missions in Laâyoune and Dakhla, illustrating the international recognition of Moroccan sovereignty. Added to this are around twenty member states of the European Union supporting this cause.« .
For Salem Abdelfattah, this context also marks “ a decline in secessionist propaganda, with the Kingdom penetrating traditional strongholds for the defense of these interests, notably in southern and eastern Africa, in English-speaking countries, in Latin America and the Caribbean. Thus, Morocco’s diplomatic victory over secessionist efforts is underlined by the evolution of the Algerian role. This country is not only an actor involved in the fictitious conflict relating to the Sahara, but also an obstacle to international mediation« .
He thus made it known that this attitude was clearly manifested during the last vote in the Security Council, where Algeria’s aggressiveness was not only turned against Morocco, but also against its traditional allies and partners. In response, Algeria recalled its ambassador to France and threatened to suspend its gas supplies to Spain, while intensifying its antagonism towards the United States.
Furthermore, Algeria has clearly expressed its opposition to international mediation, continued the expert, noting that this was also illustrated during the leaks concerning its proposals which seek to roll back progress by establishing radical solutions. , such as the sharing of territory or the expansion of MINURSO’s prerogatives to include human rights monitoring. These proposals were largely ignored by the members of the Security Council, who recognized the role of Algeria as a relevant actor, mentioning it several times in their resolutions, while Morocco, although the main party to the conflict, was omitted from the discussions.
« It should also be noted that the work of the two regional human rights commissions, those of Laâyoune and Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, was praised for their anchoring in Moroccan constitutional and sovereign mechanisms. Furthermore, the decision marked an endorsement of the diplomatic momentum and development that Morocco is achieving in its southern regions. The Security Council therefore encouraged the continuation and deepening of this dynamic. We are thus witnessing a change towards a realistic and rational approach adopted by the UN and the Security Council, recognizing the reality of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara.“insisted Salem Abdelfattah.
These successes and these victories, continued the expert, a good connoisseur of the issue, are part of a royal diplomatic approach, frequently highlighted in the Sovereign’s speeches which place the Sahara issue at the center of the foreign policy of the Kingdom.
« This strategy allows Morocco to capitalize on its geostrategic position, reinforced by its regional and continental roles, particularly after putting an end to the empty seat policy and reintegrating with determination the African Union. This proactive diplomatic posture breaks with previous passive approaches and adapts to developments in the security and political context linked to the Sahara, aiming to strengthen Moroccan sovereignty. Therefore, it encourages international partners and actors wishing to establish strategic relations with Morocco to adopt clear and resolute positions, recognizing Moroccan sovereignty and supporting the proposed autonomy initiative, in line with the reality on the ground.“, concluded our interlocutor.
