“Unlike Algeria, Morocco is resolutely committed to the definitive settlement of this artificial regional dispute, in order to preserve the stability, security and prosperity of its Maghreb region and beyond,” Mr. Hilale told members of the 4th Committee of the UN General Assembly.
He noted that Morocco remains faithfully attached to the political process conducted under the exclusive aegis of the UN for the definitive resolution of this dispute, on the basis of the Moroccan autonomy initiative within the framework of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom, noting that this is illustrated by its fruitful cooperation with the Personal Envoy, Staffan de Mistura, for the implementation of his mandate to facilitate this process.
In this context, Mr. de Mistura visited Morocco three times, he said, recalling that during his last visit, from September 4 to 8, 2023, he went to the Moroccan cities of Laayoune and Dakhla where he met the presidents of the two regions of the Moroccan Sahara, democratically elected representatives, legitimate representatives, local authorities, sheikhs and economic and civil society actors, including women and young people, as well as the rallied who had fled the Tindouf camps to join the Motherland.
Mr. Hilale noted that the Personal Envoy was able to see first-hand the progress made in terms of political emancipation and socio-economic development in the Moroccan Sahara, thanks to the achievements and infrastructure implemented within the framework of the new development model for the southern provinces, with a budget of more than 10 billion dollars. He also met with the heads of the thirty consular posts opened in Laayoune and Dakhla.
This is a development momentum that makes the Moroccan Sahara a real continental hub, the ambassador noted, noting that nearly thirty countries and regional organizations, aware of the enormous potential of the southern provinces of the Kingdom, have opened consulates general in the cities of Laayoune and Dakhla.
This consular network demonstrates the willingness of these countries to invest in the development of the Saharan provinces, but also and above all their frank and unambiguous support for the Moroccanness of the Sahara, Mr. Hilale stressed.
2024-08-27 00:12:09