Security Council/Sahara: Sierra Leone reaffirms its support for the Moroccan autonomy plan

Friday, November 1, 2024 at 8:26

United Nations (New York) – Sierra Leone reaffirmed, before the members of the Security Council, its support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative, describing it as a “credible and realistic” solution to put an end to the regional dispute around the Sahara.

This position was expressed on Thursday by the Ambassador Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the UN, Michael Imran Kanu, following the vote by the council on resolution 2756 extending the mandate of MINURSO for one year.

The diplomat also highlighted the international dynamic of support for the autonomy plan presented by Morocco in 2007.

While expressing his country’s support for the political dynamic carried out under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General and facilitated by his Personal Envoy for the Moroccan Sahara, the Sierra Leonean ambassador stressed the need to resume the process of the tables rounds with the “full participation of all parties concerned”.

In this sense, he called on all parties to commit in good faith with a view to achieving a realistic, pragmatic and mutually acceptable political solution based on compromise.

Mr. Imran Kanu also welcomed Morocco’s continued cooperation with MINURSO.

The United Nations Security Council decided on Thursday to extend the mandate of MINURSO until October 31, 2025.

In this new resolution, the United Nations executive body reaffirmed its support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative as a serious and credible basis capable of ending the artificial conflict around the Sahara, in accordance with Security Council resolutions.