Moroccan Sahara issue

Laayoune, 26 May 2022 - There is no stopping the growing international support for the Moroccan Sahara. Following the strong official positions expressed by several global powers, such as the United States, Spain and Germany, in support of the autonomy plan presented by the Kingdom, it is the turn of intellectuals, politicians and associations of the Maghreb region to display their mobilization in favor of this realistic and promising solution for the region.

Any attentive observer of the artificial dispute over the Moroccan Sahara would agree that this dispute is costly to the development and integration process of the Maghreb and that it can only be resolved through an autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty.

In this spirit, several prominent figures from the Maghreb region (intellectuals, political actors, and associations ...) have recently met in Laayoune to launch a civil body to support the autonomy plan, known as the Coordination for the implementation of the autonomy plan in the Sahara.

The creation of this structure, chaired by former Tunisian FM Ahmed Ounaies, was announced on the occasion of the first Maghreb Forum in support of the autonomy plan in the Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty.

On this occasion, Ounaies described Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara as "a cornerstone" for the establishment of a stable, balanced and effective Maghreb Union, noting that the autonomy plan is the serious and credible solution that guarantees the stability of the region and its progress.

The autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007 has received great international support, and we can only engage in the same approach because it is our duty to support the sovereignty of Morocco to preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our countries, said Algerian journalist Walid Kabir, President of the Maghreb Association for Peace, Cooperation and Development, and organizer of the Forum.

The autonomy plan, he added, will be a model for decentralization and local governance in the framework of national states.

Participants in the Forum stressed that the artificial dispute over the Moroccan Sahara is one of the major obstacles to the establishment of a strong and united Maghreb Union, praising the accomplishments of the Kingdom in terms of achieving advanced regionalization.

They also noted that the current challenges on the regional and international levels require solidarity and cooperation between the countries of the region.

The coordination, whose board is made up of 15 members representing the five countries of the region (Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, Mauritania and Morocco), aims to support the autonomy plan under the full sovereignty of the Kingdom.

Besides bringing together all North Africans who believe in a true Maghreb Union of cooperation and development, the new framework will combat separatist ideas that destroy nations and encourage the building of a competitive Maghreb economy.

This event was attended by figures from the Maghreb region and Africa, as well as representatives of diplomatic missions accredited in Laâyoune and local civil society stakeholders.

Source: MAP

Dakhla, 26 May 2022 - The Republic of Suriname on Thursday opened a consulate general in Dakhla, thus marking its strong support for Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara and its territorial integrity.

On this occasion, the Surinamese Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation, Albert Ramdin, and the Governor of the province of Aousserd, Abderrahaman El Jaouhari, cut the ribbon and unveiled the plaque of this diplomatic representation, in the presence of several elected officials and accredited consuls in Dakhla.

The number of consulates opened in Morocco's southern provinces thus increases to 25 (13 in Dakhla and 12 in Laayoune).

Mr. Ramdin, expressed, Wednesday in Rabat, "his country's full support" for the Moroccan autonomy plan as a unique basis for a political solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, with full respect for the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Morocco.

The minister reaffirmed the recognition by the Republic of Suriname of the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over all of its territory, including the Moroccan Sahara, said a joint commuiqué issued following talks between the Minister of Foreign Affairs Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans abroad, Nasser Bourita, and his counterpart from Suriname.

This stance voiced by Suriname is part of the growing support for the national cause expressed by several countries around the world, particularly in the Caribbean region.

A total of 12 out of 14 countries in this region have changed their positions in favor of Morocco on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara.

The Republic of Suriname opened its embassy in Rabat on Wednesday, during a ceremony chaired by Mr. Bourita and his counterpart from Suriname.

Source: MAP

Rabat, 25 May 2022 - Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation of the Republic of Suriname, Albert Ramdin, on Wednesday expressed his country's "full support" to the Moroccan autonomy plan as the unique basis for a political solution to the regional dispute.

Mr. Ramdin reaffirmed the recognition of the Republic of Suriname of the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over its entire territory, including the Moroccan Sahara, says a joint communiqué issued at the end of talks held in Rabat between the minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Abroad, Nasser Bourita, and his counterpart from Suriname.

In this respect, the government of Suriname has decided to open a consulate general in Dakhla, noted in the joint statement.

24 countries have already opened consulates in the cities of Dakhla (12 countries) and Laayoune (12 countries).

During these talks, Mr. Bourita informed Mr. Ramdin of the latest developments of the Sahara issue and underlined the international community's support to Morocco's Autonomy Plan under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco, as the unique basis for a consensual political solution to the regional dispute.

The Moroccan official reiterated, in this regard, the commitment of the Kingdom of Morocco to the ongoing political process led under the exclusive auspices of the United Nations, the document adds.

Suriname's position is part of a wave of support for the national cause expressed by several countries around the world, particularly in the Caribbean region. A total of 12 countries out of 14 in this region have changed their positions in favor of Morocco on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara.

Source: MAP

Rabat, 25 May 2022 - The opening, Thursday in Dakhla, of a Consulate General of Suriname shows the firm position of this country with regard to the issue of the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco, underlined, Wednesday in Rabat, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans abroad, Nasser Bourita.

Speaking at a joint press briefing following talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Cooperation of the Republic of Suriname, Albert Ramdin, Mr. Bourita stressed that the stance of the Republic of Suriname regarding the national cause is the key to the development of bilateral relations, within the framework of the important dynamics that relations between Morocco and the countries of the Caribbean region are experiencing.

The minister added that the opening, Thursday in Dakhla, of a consulate general of Suriname and an embassy this Wednesday in Rabat, is in fact a mechanism for monitoring the implementation of the roadmap signed between the two countries in March 2021, and a means to develop the various aspects of bilateral cooperation.

Mr. Bourita highlighted the particular importance of Mr. Ramdin's visit to Morocco, "which will certainly constitute a starting point for even stronger bilateral relations", adding that these relations have experienced great development in recent years, particularly following the positive positions expressed by the Republic of Suriname on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara in 2016.

The two countries have entered a stage of solid cooperation which was marked by the signing, in March 2021, of the first cooperation roadmap which includes a set of areas of partnership and solidarity between the two countries, in accordance with the enlightened vision of HM King Mohammed VI regarding South-South cooperation, and based on the Sovereign's conviction that concrete solidarity and cooperation are the basis for the development of the Kingdom's relations with its brotherly and friendly countries in various parts of the world, particularly in the Caribbean region, said the minister.

Mr. Bourita underlined that it was agreed today to work towards the implementation of the provisions of the roadmap, by concretizing the projects mentioned therein and the areas of cooperation already planned, in addition to strengthening cooperation between the two countries on regional and international issues.

In this regard, the minister referred to the imminent end of talks on the signing of four bilateral agreements in several areas, including economy and culture, which would pave the way for greater economic cooperation between the two countries, noting that these agreements could be ready for signature during a future visit to Suriname.

In addition to technical cooperation and demonstrations of solidarity, the two parties also agreed, said the minister, on the need to strengthen, with the participation of the private sector, partnership in several important economic sectors within the framework of the dynamic economy experienced by the Republic of Suriname.

Mr. Bourita also expressed Morocco's full solidarity with the Republic of Suriname following the recent floods in this country, stressing that the Kingdom will concretely express, within the framework of the Royal vision on South-South cooperation, its solidarity by helping the Republic of Suriname to cope with this natural disaster which has caused significant losses.

Kuwait, 18 May 2022 - The State of Kuwait has reiterated its support for the territorial integrity of Morocco and for the sovereignty of the Kingdom over all its territories.

His Highness Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Crown Prince and Deputy Emir of the State of Kuwait, reaffirmed, Tuesday, during his meeting with Ali Benaissa, who handed him his credentials accrediting him as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the King to the State of Kuwait, the position of his country in favor of the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco and the autonomy initiative under Moroccan sovereignty.

He also called for the strengthening and development of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, especially in the areas of investment and trade.

During this audience, His Highness the Crown Prince, Deputy Emir of Kuwait, thanked the Kingdom of Morocco for its solidary positions and its support to the State of Kuwait, since the historical visit of the late His Majesty King Mohammed V in 1961, during which he expressed his full support to the independence of the State of Kuwait.

He also recalled the firm support given by the late His Majesty King Hassan II to his country following the invasion to which it was subjected, and also expressed his gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, while praising the brotherly relations existing between the two countries.

His Highness Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah conveyed to the Moroccan diplomat the best greetings of the Emir of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, as well as his personal greetings to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and their wishes to the Sovereign for good health and full success in His wise leadership of the Kingdom of Morocco.

For his part, Ali Benaissa conveyed the greetings of His Majesty the King to His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait and to the Crown Prince, Deputy Emir of the country, stressing the concern of HM the King to strengthen and develop bilateral cooperation relations in various fields, for the good of the two countries and the two brotherly peoples, as well as the appreciation by the Sovereign of the noble position of the State of Kuwait concerning its support to the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco.

This audience was an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of strengthening the distinguished relations between the two countries, and to emphasize the exceptional nature of bilateral cooperation characterized by mutual support and assistance in all fields.

Source: MAP

Castries, 13 May 2022 - Grenada welcomed on Thursday before the members of the Committee of 24 (C24) of the United Nations, the autonomy plan presented by Morocco to resolve the regional dispute over the Sahara, as well as the Kingdom's "serious and credible" efforts to advance the political process.

Speaking at the regional seminar of the C24 for the Caribbean, held in Castries, St. Lucia, Grenada's delegation expressed its "continued" support for the UN-led political process aimed at achieving a just, mutually acceptable political solution that is based on compromise, as recommended by the UN Security Council resolutions.

Highlighting the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his former Personal Envoy for the Sahara, Horst Kohler, which resulted in the convening of two roundtables in 2018 and 2019 with the participation of Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the polisario, Grenada welcomed this process involving the four parties in line with the Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2602 (October 29, 2021).

The delegation of Grenada also welcomed the appointment of Staffan de Mistura as the UN Secretary General's Personal Envoy for the Sahara, calling on him to capitalize on the progress achieved in the framework of the roundtables with the participation of the four parties as stipulated in the Security Council Resolution 2602.

In that regard, Grenada called on the four parties to this process to remain committed, throughout the political process, in a spirit of realism and compromise for the successful resolution of the dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.

Source: MAP

Castries (Saint Lucia), 13 May 2022 - The Commonwealth of Dominica reaffirmed, before the members of the UN Committee of 24 (C24), its support for the autonomy plan in the Sahara, deeming it "the basis for a realistic and pragmatic solution" to this regional dispute.

"Dominica reaffirms its support for the autonomy plan presented by the Kingdom of Morocco to settle the Sahara conflict and considers it the basis for the realistic and pragmatic solution, stability, peace and continued development to which the UN made reference," underlined the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Diaspora Relations of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Barbara Dailey, during the C24 regional seminar for the Caribbean which is held in Castries, Saint Lucia.

Expressing her country's "full support" for the political process carried out under the aegis of the United Nations with a view to achieving a realistic, pragmatic and mutually acceptable solution to this regional conflict over the Moroccan Sahara, the official highlighted the role of the UN Chief in advancing efforts towards a settlement of this issue in accordance with the recommendations of the Security Council.

Ms. Dailey took this opportunity to commend the Government of Morocco for its efforts to promote development in the Sahara, improving the quality of life there and offering huge opportunities to local populations.

"The development of the Sahara has manifested itself in the improvement of infrastructure and health care, education and housing, as well as the pursuit of a proactive foreign policy which has allowed the opening of several general consulates in the cities of Dakhla and Laayoune, including that of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), concluded the official.

Source: MAP

Castries, 13 May 2022 - Saint Lucia reaffirmed, Thursday before the members of the Committee of 24 (C24) of the UN, its support for the autonomy plan in the Sahara, while welcoming the "serious and credible" efforts made by Morocco to advance the UN process to end this regional dispute.

Speaking at the regional seminar of the C24 for the Caribbean held in the capital Castries, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saint Lucia, Guillaume Simon also highlighted the participation of elected officials from the Moroccan Sahara in this meeting.

In addition, he reaffirmed the long-standing support of his country to the work of the UN Secretary General and his Personal Envoy for the Sahara, Staffan de Mistura to revive the UN process to achieve a consensual solution to this artificial conflict.

The Saint Lucian official welcomed de Mistura's recent first visit to Morocco, Algeria and Mauritania as part of a concerted effort to resume political dialogue.

Simon also highlighted Morocco's commitment to the resumption of the political process in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2602, while expressing his support for the "successful" process of roundtables. He expressed the hope that the next edition of this process will be held.

St. Lucia also praised the commitment of all stakeholders to the efforts to achieve a just, realistic, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution to the issue of the Moroccan Sahara.

Source: MAP

Marrakech, 12 May 2022 - Morocco is one of the best positioned countries in the green hydrogen revolution, thanks to its abundant solar and wind resources, said Thursday in Marrakech the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Odile Renaud-Basso.

"Morocco is today one of the best-positioned countries in the green hydrogen revolution, a technology for which it could offer some of the lowest production costs in the world," underlined Renaud-Basso at the opening of a session of the EBRD Business Forum, dedicated to investment prospects in Morocco.

"Morocco approaches the green transition in a particularly relevant way from our point of view as a means of responding to environmental challenges, reducing costs and ensuring energy security".

In addition, the EBRD President noted that Morocco's green energy potential also gives it a strategic advantage in regional integration, adding that this "is all the more true at a time when geopolitics is pushing Europe to speed up its energy transition".

The Kingdom has been at the forefront with large-scale solar and wind capacity, she pointed out, adding that its ambitions to reach more than half of its energy mix in renewables by the end of the decade are impressive.

Recalling the importance of the climate component which has become the EBRD's main strategic compass, Ms. Renaud-Basso said that "the Kingdom is one of our countries of operations which has the most ambitious objectives in the fight against climate change".

Placed under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, the 31st Annual Meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which will run through May 12 in Marrakech, brings together representatives of the 73 countries and institutional shareholders of the Bank, including Morocco.

The event is held under the theme “Responding to Challenges in a Turbulent World”.

Source: MAP

Rabat, 13 May 2022 - Iraq expressed, on Friday, its support for the Kingdom's territorial integrity and the efforts of the UN and its central role in reaching a political solution.

"On the Sahara issue, Iraq supports the territorial integrity of the Kingdom and the efforts of the United Nations and its central role to achieve a political solution," stressed a joint statement issued after talks in Rabat between Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, Nasser Bourita and his Iraqi counterpart, Fouad Hussein, held on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.

The Iraqi FM is on a visit to Morocco, during which he took part in the proceedings of the Ministerial Meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, held on May 11 in Marrakech.

Source: MAP