The US reaffirms before Morocco that the autonomy plan for Western Sahara is a “potential” approach

2023-09-07 20:52:35

MADRID, 7 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The head of the United States Department of State for North African issues, Joshua Harris, has conveyed to the Moroccan authorities during a visit to Rabat that his autonomy plan for Western Sahara has a “potential approach” to satisfy the aspirations of the Sahrawi people.

Thus, the senior US official has reaffirmed before the Moroccan Foreign Minister, Nasser Burita, Washington’s support for the autonomy plan for the former Spanish colony, a project that he has classified as “serious, credible and realistic”, according to a statement from the American Embassy in Rabat.

In a meeting with Burita, and in which the US ambassador in Rabat, Puneet Talwar, also participated, Harris reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the “political process” initiated by the UN to resolve the Sahrawi issue, while at the same time stressed the importance of collaborating with the United Nations special envoy, Staffan de Mistura.

“Harris (…) has addressed the importance of working with the special envoy in a spirit of realism and commitment, as he intensifies his efforts to achieve a lasting and dignified political solution for Western Sahara,” the US Embassy said. in Rabat through a statement.

Thus, Harris and Talwar have highlighted to Burita “the deep and historic partnership” between their respective countries, while expressing their gratitude for “the crucial efforts” carried out by Morocco “in a wide range of regional and global challenges.” “, including the situation in the Sahel region.

The US Government already reported at the beginning of the month about Harris’ visit to Rabat, where she also plans to meet with representatives of the Polisario Front, including its secretary general, Bahim Ghali, according to information provided by the Sahrawi news agency SPS.

Contacts between Washington and the parties have intensified in recent weeks, even taking place a phone call between the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Molly Phee, and the Foreign Minister of Algeria, Ahmed Attaf, although with the situation in Niger after the coup d’état as the main point on the agenda.