HIBAPRESS
Ivory Coast reiterated, before the regional conference of the UN's Committee of 24, its full support for the autonomy initiative presented by Morocco, for the final resolution of the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.
In an intervention during this conference, which was recently held in Managua, Nicaragua, the Ivorian delegation highlighted that this initiative, which enjoys the support of about 130 countries, including three permanent members of the Security Council, is in accordance with international law, the UN Charter, and relevant resolutions issued by the United Nations.
It emphasized that this initiative, whose validity was strengthened by Security Council Resolution 2797 adopted in 2025, is characterized by taking into account the specificities of the Moroccan Sahara, allowing its population the opportunity to actively participate in the management of the political and socio-economic life of the region.
On the political level, the delegation noted that these residents choose their local and national representatives with complete freedom, during the various democratic elections held in the Kingdom regularly, praising the participation of elected officials from the Moroccan Sahara, who were elected during these elections, in the work of the Committee of 24.
At the economic level, the Ivorian delegation pointed out that the population of the southern provinces of the Kingdom is reaping the fruits of the huge investments that have been mobilized within the framework of the new development model that was launched in 2015, highlighting that these achievements have contributed significantly to raising the standard of living of the population and improving the human development index in the Moroccan Sahara.
It also highlighted the efforts made by Morocco in the field of promoting and protecting human rights, especially through strengthening the role of the regional committees of the National Human Rights Council in Laayoune and Dakhla, in addition to cooperation with the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Ivory Coast praised the "relentless" efforts made by the Kingdom to reach a solution based on consensus for this regional dispute, stressing that all these commendable initiatives taken by Morocco testify to the credibility of the expanded autonomy initiative, which gives the population of the Moroccan Sahara multiple and important powers.
Ivory Coast also mentioned that the opening of its consulate general in the city of Dakhla embodies its commitment to the economic and social development of the southern provinces of the Kingdom.
On the other hand, the Ivorian delegation expressed its concern about the reports related to the human rights situation in the Tindouf camps, calling for the registration and census of the population.
On this occasion, Ivory Coast reiterated its full support for the exclusive UN path aimed at reaching a final political solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, based on the autonomy initiative.
After the Ivorian delegation confirmed that the United Nations remains the "appropriate framework" for reaching a peaceful solution to this issue, it also welcomed the facilitation efforts made by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, and his Personal Envoy to the Moroccan Sahara, Staffan de Mistura.
Ivory Coast also highlighted Security Council Resolution 2797, considering that it enshrines the exclusive UN nature of the political process, with a view to seeking a final solution based on the Moroccan autonomy plan.
In conclusion, the Ivorian delegation called on all parties to be realistic and in a spirit of consensus and good faith, in order to reach a lasting political solution to this regional dispute.
