HIBAPRESS
A group of academics and researchers, during a scientific conference held today, Saturday, in the city of Fez, praised the important gains made by Morocco in the Moroccan Sahara issue, as well as the leading development model witnessed by the southern provinces of the Kingdom, under the wise leadership of King Mohammed VI.
In this context, the head of the International Civil Society Organization for the Values of Citizenship, Development and Dialogue, Mustapha Alzebakh, highlighted the importance of the gains that the Kingdom has accumulated in the Moroccan Sahara issue, stressing the need to strengthen foresight work in order to achieve more developmental, cultural and legal gains. He added that UN resolution No. 2797 constitutes “an explicit recognition of the autonomy proposal submitted by Morocco in 2007”, highlighting that the Moroccan Sahara issue “has never been a border issue, but rather an issue of existence linked to territorial unity and collective memory”, and stressing that the Green March was a pivotal point in consolidating the collective, identity, and existential awareness of Moroccans.
For his part, university professor Hassan Abiyaba praised the qualitative gains that Morocco has achieved in the Moroccan Sahara issue after fifty years of struggle, sacrifices and continuous diplomatic efforts, which culminated in UN resolution No. 2797, which enshrined the autonomy proposal as the only and realistic solution to this regional dispute. Professor Abiyaba pointed to the important role played by His Majesty King Mohammed VI since he ascended the throne of his blessed ancestors in transitioning Morocco to the stage of development takeoff, by launching major projects in the fields of infrastructure and industrial transformation, in addition to the advancement of the southern provinces within the framework of their new development model. He also praised the Atlantic Royal Initiative, considering it a ambitious strategic vision that aims to enable non-coastal African Sahel countries to access the Atlantic Ocean, and to strengthen international momentum supporting the Moroccan Sahara.
For his part, the head of the Fes-Saiss Association, Hassan Sligua, confirmed that the first national issue is experiencing a historic moment, in light of the increasing international recognition of the Moroccan Sahara and the credibility of the autonomy proposal, in addition to the leading development model and the major development projects that the southern provinces are witnessing. He added that this meeting falls within the framework of the "Laayoune, Capital of Civil Society for the year 2025" events, after the Laayoune and Salé stations, highlighting that the choice of the city of Fez to host this station has a special significance given its civilizational depth and its long history. He stressed that this station aims to contribute to anticipating a comprehensive vision for implementing the autonomy project in the southern provinces, highlighting that civil society is a real partner in building the future.
For his part, Professor and researcher Mohamed As-Sanussi highlighted the importance of the Moroccan autonomy plan, considering it “an initiative that goes beyond the logic of a temporary technical solution, to propose a new vision for managing conflicts that organizes the relationship between the state, the field, and society.” He added that this project, with its deep geopolitical implications, would transform the Moroccan Sahara into a space for stability and regional integration and a lever for South-South cooperation, and strengthen the link between the African and European spaces.
For his part, the professor and researcher in contemporary history, Mohamed Bouras, reviewed the great importance of the Moroccan Sahara issue in the American historical archive, confirming that this archive documents the American position supporting the Moroccan Sahara, and highlighting the Sahara's roots in the historical depth of Morocco. He pointed out that the official documents and diplomatic reports of the United States of America include clear declarations that recognize the Moroccan Sahara, stressing that the gains that Morocco has achieved in this file are due to the credibility of the Moroccan position and the strength of the diplomatic efforts exerted by the Kingdom.
For his part, Professor and researcher Mohamed Al-Aoufi confirmed that the Moroccan Sahara issue has received great attention in American foreign policy, and has gained the attention of a number of American theorists, including Samuel Huntington, Brzezinski, and Henry Kissinger, who emphasized in a number of his writings on “the importance of Morocco in regional stability equations.” Professor Al-Aoufi concluded that experts agree that Morocco “formed a reliable ally for the United States during the Cold War, and plays an important role in promoting regional stability.” This symposium, organized by the Fes-Saiss Association for Cultural, Social and Economic Development, in partnership with the Civil Society Organization for the Values of Citizenship, Development and Dialogue, falls within the framework of the "Laayoune, Capital of Civil Society for the year 2025" events.
