The process of withdrawing recognition of the so-called SADR continues at a steady pace, Foreign Minister Taib Fassi Fihri said on Saturday.
 "Numerous countries in different continents reviewed their positions, which they took in a very particular regional and international context that is outdated today," Fassi Fihri said at joint press conference in Rabat with Zambian peer Kabinga J. Pande.

"These countries reconsidered their positions in conformity with international legality with a view to contributing effectively and constructively to the ongoing negotiation process, led by the UN in order to achiece a peaceful, negotiated and realistic solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara," added the Minister.

"During the last decade, no less than thirty countries have withdrawn recognition of the so called SADR, an entity which meets none of the legal and political conditions for establishing a state," he made it clear, adding that these withdrawals are the result of the Kingdom's efforts through its autonomy initiative, which was commended as "credible and serious" by the Security Council.

Today, no European country recognizes this entity and more than two thirds of African countries (35) had withdrawn their recognition, the Minister noted.

“Morocco’s Foreign Ministry received a verbal note in this regard from Papua New Guinean Foreign Minister expressing the decision of his country to withdraw its recognition of the so called SADR starting from March 30, 2011”, Fassi Fihri said.

He also recalled that 12 member countries of the Pacific Islands Forum no longer recognize this entity, as is the case with all Oceania member states and almost all Asian countries.

Source: MAP
News and events concerning Western Sahara issue/ Corcas