Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 11:32
Geneva – “The Moroccan Sahara: Land of light and future”, latest work by Franco-Swiss political scientist Jean-Marie Heydt, was presented Monday evening at the Swiss Press Club in Geneva, in the presence of a host of personalities Swiss and Moroccan associative actors from Switzerland and other European countries.
In the preface to the book to be published Thursday, the former president of the Spanish government, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, welcomes “a magnificent work which presents all the beauty and complexity of the Sahara”, congratulating the author for the “singularly interesting” of the Sahara that he offers to the reader, then leading to a description of the richness and diversity of the region, its multiple economic and social possibilities and its often overlooked dynamism.
Reaffirming that the Moroccan proposal for autonomy is “the most serious, credible and realistic basis, always under the auspices of the United Nations, to find a mutually acceptable solution” to the conflict around the Moroccan Sahara, Mr. Zapatero emphasizes that this region is “full of possibilities and we must, as friends of Morocco, work for its prosperity”.
The 352-page, beautifully illustrated work offers a new look at the Sahara and the ongoing development dynamics. The author presents himself as an “observer” of public policies who discovers the extent of the achievements contributing to the better living of local populations.
It begins by tracing the historical landmarks of this geographical area since its millennial origins, before painting a picture of the current situation in the light of advanced regionalization, emphasizing that the Sahara now constitutes a land of growth, social inclusion and regional solidarity.
The book highlights the importance of the road, airport and port infrastructures built, as well as the region’s potential in terms of renewable energies and the development of green hydrogen.
It focuses mainly on the impact of certain large-scale projects such as the Dakhla Atlantic Port, expected to play an important role in particular in the transport of green electricity, making Dakhla an Atlantic hub and leader of an African prosperous.
During the debate, moderated by the president of the Swiss Press Club, Isabelle Falconnier, the author specified that the work, far from being academic research, is the fruit of fascinating exchanges and interactions with the inhabitants of the Sahara, offering to discover, in all modesty and independence, this “land of light and future”.
The exchange with the audience made it possible to shed more light on the developments in the southern provinces which reflect the development dynamics throughout Morocco.
“In the space of 25 years, the Kingdom has made a 50-year development leap,” he said, stressing that taking into account the interests of the population is the common thread that guides the public policies implemented. by His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
Other speakers among the associative actors present enriched the debate with perspectives and clarifications, particularly on the ethnic, cultural and spiritual links which have always existed between the inhabitants of the Sahara and the populations of the rest of Morocco.
“Diversity is a factor that unites us more than differentiates us”, insisted, in this regard, the president of the International Observatory on Peace, Democracy and Human Rights, Aïcha Douihi, who comes from the southern provinces.
Jean-Marie Heydt is a teacher-researcher, observer and international expert for public organizations. He is the author of several recent works, including “Mohammed VI, The vision of a King: actions and ambitions” (Éditions Favre, 2019).
