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Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Within the framework of the tasks entrusted to the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs aimed at activating the consultations and meetings between the Sahara inhabitants in the region, the President of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs, Secretary General and the office organized April 27-28-29 2006, a tour in the provinces of Assa-Zag, Guelmim , Tan-Tan, Smara, Dakhla, Boujdour and Laayoune

where they met with elected institutions, political actors and community groups, to explain the objectives of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs, in order to entrench the democratic option, and consultative approach, chosen by the King of the Sherifian Kingdom of Morocco, analyzing the implications of the of the historic speech of His Majesty King Mohammed VI on 25.03.2006 in the city of Laayoune. It is also an opportunity to discuss and explain the present situation of the issue of territorial unity, and the involvement of the region’s inhabitants to determine the perception around autonomy to ensure the participation of the population in handling their own affairs.

During the meetings, Mr. Chairman highlighted the historical origins confirming links of the Sahara tribes to the Moroccan state since Almoravid State, through Almohad empire and Saadian State up to the Alawite State. Sahrawis were living in full respect of state sovereignty and the law, sharing joy and grief with the rest of the population of the Kingdom.

In the midst of presentation, he gave an example of this link on the return of the late Mohamed V, where a delegation representing all Saharan tribes came the city of Rabat to pay allegiance to the liberator of the country. This allegiance had deep impact in the establishment in 1957/1958 of the Liberation Army in which Sahrawis played a leading role, reflected on the military situation in the south, where all tribes suffered savage attacks by Spanish and French colonists, the operation known as Ecouvillon.

After that, Mr. President talked about the national and international situation, which was experienced by Morocco after independence, marked by fragility at all levels obliging the State to think about building its military and security, economic and social institutions. At this stage, the State was interested in teaching people, including sons of the resistant members and members of the Liberation Army in the south, who studied in Bezkarn, Agadir and Rabat.

They benefited from free education and the right to scholarship. However, at the university, they declared a revolt expressing their rejection of marginalization in Tarfaya and its surroundings, where there was no infrastructure of roads and electricity, and hospitals. This coincided with an international situation characterized by ideological rivalry East/West during which Morocco suffered two coup d’état attempts, - Moroccan Algerian conflict on the demarcation of the border – difficult internal political situation, Foreign powers encouraged the establishment of Polisario in 1973 in the Mauritanian city of Zouerate. Meanwhile, the Sahara inhabitants under Spanish colonization conserved their national sacred foundations.

After that, Mr. President addressed the most important events witnessed by the Moroccan Sahara in its relation with the Polisario Front: after the triumphant Green March, war erupted in the region which was logistically beneficial to Polisario. Their attacks reached the edge of cities in the south, prompting the Moroccan state to end the war and defeat separatists.


In order to avoid further tragedies and victims, the President of the Royal Council for Saharan Affairs referred to the cease fire initiative led by the late Moroccan King Hassan II, followed in 1991 by the United Nations proposal calling for a referendum based on the identification of 34 tribes which were present in the Sahara under Spanish control, and extending to all the neighboring countries of the southern areas of Morocco, making the option of a just, honest and free, referendum impossible.

This convinced most of the major powers, including India, which withdrew its recognition of the Polisario Front, which exists only on websites, and lacks sovereignty attributes: land and, people and political power.

After this extensive presentation of contemporary history of the Sahara, Mr. President stressed at the ridiculousness of the separatist argument and the tragedies that left behind: dispersion of families - victims of war - camp residents who suffer from poverty, and living on aid of foreign associations. How long will we remain indefinitely in deadlock? he asked.
 
In response to this problem, he praised the achievements on the ground in the southern provinces which moved from Bedouin life and backwardness to modernity and progress, with enhanced infrastructure and service at all levels and with the latest technology.

He then referred to the letter of His Majesty the King on 25.03.2006 which came to turn the page on past tragedies and open a new page based on the consolidation of the democratic modernist State by proposing braod autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, by giving the region's population the possibility to handle their own affairs on the one hand, and, on the other hand, is the gateway for the advancement of the overall development in the region.

This historic Royal project is an integral part of the wise and visionary policies adopted by the country’s leader, far from political maneuvering. It is a project for all Moroccans after consultation with all political parties.

Mr. President said to the audience that the declaration by His Majesty of this project was accompanied by his pardon for the remaining Sahrawi detainees in response to a request by the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs to break with the time of the violation of law and democratic values, and thus enjoy the freedom and dignity, considering that possible and legitimate demands should respect some procedure and are guaranteed legally and constitutionally. Using violence and promotion of the separation thesis is not in line with the national consensus.

Concerning the only option before the Polisario Front, Mr. President stressed that engaging in the success of the autonomy project in order to achieve a decent life for all the Sahrawis is a right choice to put an end to eternal dilemmas of this topic.


The president added that the time is appropriate to negotiate directly and immediately with the Polisario Front calling on Algeria to help carry out this step in consideration for Morocco’s help during the days of distress and hardship until it recovered dignity.

The President of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs said the Council will contact all countries across the globe to clarify the facts and refute unfounded allegations advocated by members of the Polisario Front. Their stubbornness prolongs the life of the crisis at the expense of the interests and needs of camp residents, he said.


Mr. President requested the inhabitants of the southern provinces he visited to engage consciously and responsibly in order to enable all the camps residents to return home, considering them, ie all descendants of the Sahara areas, members of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs alongside His Majesty to reach the goals envisaged for the best of this nation's dignity and well-off life for all its residents from Tangiers to Lagouira.

The Council will remain responsible institution undertaking the delivery of all problems and proposals in all honesty and sincerity to His Majesty the King who oversees personally keep track of all the concerns of his loyal subjects in these areas, through the works of this Council.

At the end of his speech Mr. President said the Council will study completed projects, which are in the process of achievement, and future in full coordination with all parties, in order to promote the comprehensive development of these regions in accordance with the directives of His Majesty the King Mohammed VI, May God assist him.

The initial meetings by Mr. President and his delegation were marked with openness and freedom of expression. All speeches, without exception, focused on national pride and search for a better tomorrow, according to HM the King’s willingness. Speakers applauded the initiative of the tour undertaken by the Council, considering an initiative to inject new blood for a better future.

 

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