Rabat reaffirms commitment to finding political solution based on Autonomy Plan – The North Africa Post

Morocco reiterated at the UN General Assembly that it is committed to finding a lasting political solution for the Sahara regional conflict on a basis of autonomy, under its sovereign.

Tuesday’s address at the 77th UNGA meeting was delivered by Head of Govt. Aziz Akhannouch said the autonomy offered by the Kingdom within the frame of its territorial integrity is the ONLY solution to the Sahara issue, affirming that the “serious and realistic” initiative proposed by Rabat is backed by the United Nations and over 90 States.

Morocco’s southern provinces continue their socioeconomic progress within the framework of the New Development Model, which was tailored for the region and launched by King Mohammed VI in 2015, said Mr. Akhannouch noting that the local inhabitants participate actively in the implementation of the inclusive New Development Model through their democratically elected representatives.

Mr. Akhannouch stated that the active participation by the Moroccan Sahara inhabitants in the political and economic life of the Sahara confirms their full attachment the the Kingdom’s territorial integrity and the Sahara’s Moroccanness.

He reiterated Morocco’s full support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to re-launch the round table process with the same participants in order to reach a realistic and lasting political solution, based on consensus and in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, especially resolution 2602.

Head of the Moroccan Government believes that the resolution to the Sahara problem depends on Algeria’s serious and responsible participation in the UN-led round table process. This is because the Algerian regime, which funds, arms, and shelters the Polisario separatist militias and links to terror groups, is a party the Sahara conflict.

He also voiced Morocco’s deep concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Tindouf camps, in Southern Algeria, wherein sequestered Sahrawis suffer serious human violations, abuses and ill-treatment, urging the international community to exert pressure on Algeria, which is violating international law, to allow UNHCR to conduct a census of the Sahrawis held in Tindouf against their will.