Sahara/C24: Senegal reiterates its “constant support” for the autonomy initiative

Hibapress

Senegal reaffirmed, during the C24 regional seminar held recently in Caracas, its “constant support” for the Moroccan autonomy initiative, considering it “the best compromise solution” to the regional dispute around the Moroccan Sahara.

“Senegal would like to seize the opportunity of this seminar to reiterate its constant support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative, which it considers serious, credible and in accordance with international law, the Charter of the United Nations, as well as the resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly,” underlined the Deputy Permanent Representative of Senegal to the UN in New York, Ambassador Diamane Diome.

He noted that this initiative is “the best compromise solution” to this regional dispute, noting that his country welcomes the reinforced international dynamic supporting it and materialized by the support of more than 100 member states of the United Nations.

“It is also confidence in the relevance of this initiative” which explains the decision of 30 States from Africa, the Arab world, America and Asia, to open Consulates General in Laâyoune and Dakhla, with the he ambition to contribute to strengthening the economic and social opportunities offered by the Moroccan Sahara, as a hub for sustainable development, he indicated, adding that Senegal is proud to be among these countries.

He noted that alongside these thirty Consulates General, several offices of regional organizations in the vibrant cities of Laâyoune and Dakhla, contribute to the consolidation of the vocation of stability and influence of the southern provinces of the Kingdom.

Mr. Diome also welcomed the commitment to constructive dialogue of the representatives of the Moroccan Sahara, democratically re-elected during the ballot of September 8, 2021, illustrated in particular by their sixth consecutive participation in the C24 regional seminar, as well as by their regular participation in the annual sessions of the Committee and the two round tables in Geneva.

“This commitment is supported by the significant investments and projects implemented by Morocco as part of the New Development Model of the Moroccan Sahara, launched in 2015,” he noted, noting that these projects are accompanied by substantial progress in human rights, as evidenced, among other things, by Security Council resolution 2703.

He cited, in this context, the strengthening of the role of the regional commissions of the National Human Rights Council in Laâyoune and Dakhla, bilateral cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the treaty bodies and the special procedures of the UN Human Rights Council.

He also welcomed Morocco’s full respect of the ceasefire, and its “frank and complete” collaboration with MINURSO, inviting all stakeholders to do the same in order to guarantee peace and harmony. security favorable to the definitive settlement of this regional dispute and the development of the populations.

The Senegalese diplomat also invited all parties to continue and consolidate, under the same format, the discussion process initiated by the Geneva round tables of December 2018 and March 2019 in which Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and Polisario.

And he continued that his country calls on all stakeholders to demonstrate realism and a spirit of compromise and good faith, with a view to reaching a political solution to this dispute, as requested by the Security Council.

Mr. Diome also noted that Senegal notes with satisfaction the efforts of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Moroccan Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, aimed at facilitating the relaunch of the political process under the exclusive auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.