Heba Press
The Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations, Omar Hilal, confirmed, on Wednesday in New York, that the Moroccan autonomy initiative, presented by the Kingdom for the final settlement of the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, is a solution that looks to the future, while Algeria’s position remains locked into a past vision.
Hilal stressed, before the Fourth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, that “Morocco, by submitting this initiative to the Security Council in 2007, placed a bold bet on a negotiated solution that was not imposed.” A comprehensive and non-partial solution. A solution that looks to the future and is not trapped in a past vision.”
He pointed out that the principles and values governing the “Charter for the Future,” recently adopted by the member states of the United Nations, call for a more peaceful, more equitable and more sustainable world and express the collective determination not only to resolve existing conflicts, but also to build solid and capable societies. To live in peace and face future challenges collectively.
The ambassador highlighted that these principles and values are the same as those adopted by the Kingdom of Morocco to settle the conflict over its Sahara, on the basis of the Moroccan initiative for self-rule, considering that this initiative “represents an irreversible strategic choice, which is enshrined today in the spirit and letter of the ‘Charter for the Future’,” in particular Its following principles:
First: The Charter recalls the role of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security
The ambassador stressed that the Kingdom does not envision a settlement of the Moroccan Sahara issue outside the framework of the United Nations and its Security Council, recalling that Morocco has always reaffirmed its full involvement in the political process, which is exclusively supervised by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, facilitated by his personal envoy.
He expressed his regret that, for three years, this political process has been obstructed by Algeria, which refuses to engage in it again as a major party, despite repeated calls from the Secretary-General, Security Council resolutions, and the efforts made by the Personal Envoy.
Second: The Charter enshrines the follow-up and implementation of measures aimed at strengthening international peace and security
Hilal highlighted that Morocco has always shown good faith and called for an honest and friendly dialogue with Algeria in order to settle this dispute that it created out of nowhere, explaining that this extended hand policy, which His Majesty King Mohammed VI has always emphasized, stems from the sincere desire of His Majesty the King to create… An environment of peace, security and harmony in the region.
However, the Moroccan diplomat points out, these calls remained unanswered, given Algeria’s persistence in its hostility to the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco, and stoking tension through its agent, the armed separatist “Polisario” group.
Third: The Charter reaffirms the commitment to preventive diplomacy, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and the importance of dialogue between countries.
The ambassador highlighted that Morocco’s commitment in this context was actually embodied through the submission of the Moroccan initiative for self-government in 2007, in response to the Security Council’s call, explaining that the Council considers this initiative, in its last twenty resolutions, to be “serious and credible.”
On the other hand, he pointed out that Algeria has unfortunately refused, for three years, to regain its position at the Round Table, “which undermines the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes, paralyzes the political process to resolve the Moroccan Sahara issue, obstructs the efforts of the United Nations, and condemns the population detained in the Tindouf camps to life.” “In inhumane conditions, without any future prospects.”
Fourth: The Charter confirms the commitment to adopting an approach to coordinating and implementing policies that respond to the needs and interests of future generations
Hilal explained, before the members of the committee, that the Moroccan initiative for self-government “proposes fundamental local democratic governance, thanks to a broad delegation of powers for greater participation of the local population in political decision-making, which is consistent with the principles of the Charter, which aims to support local communities and work to ensure that The management of local affairs is exercised by the local population and its needs and aspirations are met.”
He said, “Unfortunately, this is not the case in the Tindouf camps, where the detained residents are taken hostage by an armed separatist group, with the complicity of Algeria, which deprives them of returning to their motherland, Morocco, in order to participate in political life, and the economic and social life of the regions.” Desert.”
Fifth: The charter calls for the participation and representation of women and youth in political and economic life
The diplomat highlighted that women and youth in the Moroccan Sahara play a central role in society and enjoy a high rate of political participation, including the management of local affairs through legislative, executive and judicial bodies. They contributed to the development of the Moroccan autonomy initiative, as well as to the round tables of the political process.
The ambassador said, “On the other hand, their brothers and sisters in the Tindouf camps are victims of the theft of their childhood and youth by Algeria, which recruits them into the armed militias affiliated with the Polisario, in violation of international law and the Paris Principles,” explaining that Algeria has replaced schools and educational institutions with training and indoctrination camps.
Sixth: The Charter emphasizes strengthening efforts aimed at ensuring everyone’s access to justice
The Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations, confirmed that the Moroccan autonomy initiative provides for several justice mechanisms, with the aim of establishing an appropriate legal and judicial framework, especially the creation of local courts, which enhances direct and fair access to justice.
Hilal added, “For its part, Algeria transferred, in violation of international law, its sovereignty, including its judicial powers in the Tindouf camps, to the Polisario, as indicated by the Human Rights Committee.”
Seventh: The Charter supports the implementation of economic, social and environmental policies
In this regard, the ambassador explained that the solution based on the Moroccan autonomy initiative “would enhance growth and economic development in the Moroccan Sahara, through economic initiatives that respond to the needs of the local population, especially thanks to the new development model for the southern provinces, launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI.” “This led to the creation of jobs and improved standard of living.”
Hilal said that, however, 40,000 people live in the Tindouf camps in a situation of absolute vulnerability, exacerbated by the dependence, for 50 years, on international humanitarian aid, which is systematically diverted by the armed separatist group “Polisario”.
Eighth: The Charter supports the creation of bodies to defend human rights and fundamental freedoms
Hilal considered that the Moroccan initiative for self-government provides, in this field, all guarantees to respect and promote human rights, especially local representation, participation in decision-making, the independence of the judicial system, the promotion of social and economic rights, as well as the preservation of Hassani cultural identity.
On the other hand, the Moroccan diplomat warned of the conditions in the Tindouf camps, which “are considered an open prison, where the worst violations are committed against this population deprived of the most basic rights, amid complete impunity.” Even human rights treaty mechanisms are prohibited from visiting the camps.
Ninth: The Charter enhances regional integration and cooperation
The diplomat said that the Moroccan autonomy initiative, in line with the “Charter for the Future,” aspires to bring peace to the region, by consolidating good neighbourliness, enhancing stability, encouraging bilateral cooperation, creating conditions for development and establishing sub-regional and regional integration, noting that Algeria’s behavior, On the other hand, it contradicts the principles of the Charter, by closing borders, embracing and arming an armed separatist group, imposing visas, and perpetuating the stagnation of the Arab Maghreb Union, thus depriving the countries of the region of enormous potential for cooperation in order to confront the challenges, especially the security ones that threaten North Africa.
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