Mohamed Aujjar, former minister of justice and former president of the international independent mission in Libya, called for “withdraw the Sahara file from the fourth United Nations commission responsible for decolonization, in light of developments recorded on the ground for several years.”
During a notable intervention on Monday, November 11, Mr. Aujjar criticized the relevance and effectiveness of the fourth commission, considering that it had become “a fixed instrument unsuited to current geopolitical realities.” He stressed that this UN structure, created in the context of the struggles for independence in the 20th century, “continues to apply outdated logic” to situations which today relate to regional strategic issues.
“Maintaining the Sahara issue within this commission only perpetuates anachronistic narratives and artificially fuels separatist ambitions”he said. Mr. Aujjar added that the current configuration favors actors like Algeria, “which uses the UN apparatus to circumvent its own responsibility in this conflict.”
Insisting on the counterproductive role of this commission, he noted that it “fails to take into account the profound transformations occurring on the ground, notably the growing international recognition of the Moroccan autonomy plan.” In this sense, he criticized the principle of self-determination which he described as “obsolete maneuver, disconnected from current realities and incompatible with the aspirations of local populations.”
Mr. Aujjar also urged the United Nations and Minurso to “put an end to the provocations of the Polisario and, behind it, of Algeria.” According to the former minister, “the management of this issue on the international scene must be considered as a regional conflict involving Algeria.”
Stressing that Morocco will not give in to “Algerian attempts to push the region towards open war”Mr. Aujjar affirmed that the kingdom, now “an essential military power” which exerts a major influence both at the Arab and regional level. “Morocco, with its power, will not allow the region to be drawn into an armed conflict”he declared.
He recalled that Morocco “has been confronted with Algerian provocations since 1963”but warned against “provocations [qui] have never reached such a level of seriousness, aiming for a direct confrontation.” Despite this escalation, he stressed that “Moroccan management of these tensions has always been marked by wisdom and discernment.”
