During this meeting with the delegation, composed of Mrs Halima Hadir, expert of the region in relations with Mediterranean countries, and Mr. On Motta, secretary general of the permanent committee for Euro Mediterranean, Mr. Maouelainin Maouelainin Ben Khalihenna, presented CORCAS missions and objectives.
CORCAS mission, he said, is to found general reconciliation among Sahrawis, elaborate a autonomy project for the southern provinces under Moroccan sovereignty and contribute to the socio-economic development of the kingdom.
The Sahara issue was created outside the Saharan borders in 1973 by some Sahrawi students who were studying at Mohammed V University in Rabat. Said Mr. Maouelainin Maouelainin Ben Khalihenna.
These students protested in Tan Tan in order to improve their socio-economic conditions and push Morocco to recover the Sahara. However, they were misunderstood by the Moroccan administration which was not able then to meet their claims. He added.
In 1973, these students went to Zouierat, in Mauritania, where they founded their politico-military movement, the Polisario Front. War broke out and lasted between 1976 and 1991 without any improvement being realized.
Since war brought about no results, the United Nations tried to organize a referendum based upon identification. Nevertheless, the UN became aware of the fact that a referendum is impossible to carry out since Sahrawis do not live only in Morocco but also in Algeria, Mauritania and Mali. This means that there should be a change in these countries borders which is not acceptable and unbelievable in the 21st century.
According to Mr. Maouelainin Maouelainin Ben Khalihenna, there remain two possibilities: Statu quo with all the risks that might generate, mainly due to the emergence of al-Qaeda in the region; or adopt the autonomy project proposed by Morocco.
Autonomy project, under Moroccan sovereignty, is the only means to definitely settle the Sahara issue because “it will satisfy everybody”.
Morocco will remain sovereign over its southern provinces; Sahrawis’claims will be satisfied and Algeria will keep its dignity.
“We hope that autonomy project, under Moroccan sovereignty, will be the basis of a definitive settlement of the Sahara conflict”, added Mr. Maouelainin Maouelainin Ben Khalihenna.
Source: CORCAS