2024-07-18 23:18:41
This conference aims to initiate a new reflection on this regional dispute through its different aspects, in light of the latest developments on the issue at the UN and on the ground, as well as in light of the launch of the Atlantic Initiative by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, announced on the occasion of the celebration of the 48th anniversary of the Glorious Green March (November 6, 2023).
Speaking on this occasion, the Wali of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, governor of the Oued Eddahab province, Ali Khalil, stressed that the city of Dakhla regularly hosts major international meetings through which it has been able to attract many leading personalities, including heads of state and government, ministers, parliamentarians and governmental and non-governmental organizations.
All these personalities and organizations learned about the socio-economic projects implemented or in progress in the region, he added, reviewing certain structuring projects, more particularly the port of Dakhla Atlantic, the Tiznit-Dakhla expressway and the 5000 ha irrigation project by desalination of sea water.
All these major projects, Mr. Khalil continued, will make the southern regions of the Kingdom, in general, and Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, in particular, an important economic hub, strengthening its position as a major gateway for Morocco to Africa and the rest of the world.
For his part, the coordinator of AUSACO, Abdulatif Aidara, stressed that the main objective of this conference is to hold objective and constructive debates in light of “the unprecedented achievements” that the Moroccan Sahara is experiencing in terms of socio-economic development.
He explained that this conference comes against the backdrop of massive support shown by the vast majority of the international community in favor of the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, which stands as the only solution to definitively resolve this issue at the UN.
The debates are intended to explain the realities on the ground and to be part of a language aimed at enlightening international public opinion on the untruths and false allegations fomented by Algeria, continued Mr. Aidara.
As for the choice of Dakhla to host this major event, Mr. Aidara noted that it is an opportunity to allow all participants to see the growth that this city is experiencing in terms of infrastructure and the implementation of structuring projects aimed at making it an essential passage for investments and development.
“Since the beginning of the Moroccan Sahara issue, Senegal has always maintained its position in favor of Morocco and its territorial integrity,” he noted, adding that his country, which considers this matter as a national cause, has demonstrated its support on many occasions, including within the African Union, by being among the most ardent defenders of Morocco’s return to the pan-African organization in 2017 and by defending the Kingdom’s positions in pan-African institutions.
For his part, the President of the Council of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, El Khattat Yanja, noted that the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, like other regions in southern Morocco, is experiencing major structuring projects in all areas, which have enabled it to steadily continue its growth and progress in the wake of the new development model.
In this regard, he reviewed the various mega projects implemented or in progress in the region, in particular the Dakhla Atlantic port, which is of strategic importance for West Africa and the southern provinces.
This project, he continued, will on the one hand support the economic, social and industrial development of the region, in all its productive sectors, and on the other hand further strengthen the influence of the region as a regional economic hub.
The meeting was attended by members of AUSACO from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, local elected officials and parliamentarians from the Moroccan Sahara.
The program for this meeting includes several panels of debates and discussions, as well as field visits to structuring projects that are part of the new development model for the southern provinces.
AUSACO is an independent and autonomous organization that brings together more than 3,000 politicians, parliamentarians, diplomats, academics, journalists, lawyers and representatives of civil society from all continents, who have the common cause of advocating in the various political, parliamentary and academic circles, in favor of the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative as the one and only solution to put a definitive end to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.
2024-07-18 23:18:41