Speaking to the press following a meeting with the head of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan affairs (CORCAS), Khalihenna Ould Errachid, the delegation members described the autonomy proposal as the most "suitable solution" to put an end to the 32-year old dispute that impedes the edification of the Arab Maghreb Union (UAM), a regional union mustering Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Algeria.
The chairman of the Mauritanian Liberal Party, Ahmed Ould Domane, described the proposal as "a pioneering, serious and encouraging initiative" to find a "realistic" solution to the Sahara issue.
The Sahara, a former Spanish colony, was ceded to Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid accords. However, the Polisario, backed by Algeria, Morocco's eastern neighbor, claims sovereignty over this territory and seeks independence as a main option.
As for the secretary general of labor and national unity party, Mohamed Ouled Bah expressed his support for the Moroccan initiative which he deemed "a constructive and a civilizational solution" to this issue.
For his part, the leader of the Popular Congress, Mohamadou Ouled Biadih, said his party will support Morocco’s proposal as a tool to promote "understanding between the countries of the UMA", stressing the need for all parties to join the project to get the entire region out of the impasse.
Morocco and Polisario held two rounds of UN-led talks in Manhasset (outskirts of New York) in June and August. A third round is scheduled on January 7-9.
The third round of negotiations can be constructive if based on the Moroccan initiative, Mr. Ouled Biadih pointed out, noting, however, that this endeavor can be "doomed to failure if the Polisario sticks to its "petty stances".
Statement by Mr. Ahmed Ould Doman, President of the Mauritanian Liberal Party: It was a good meeting. The presentation by Mr. President about autonomy proposed by the Kingdom was instructive. It is really an attractive proposal that gives serious hope to find a just, serious and realistic solution to the Sahara.
Statement by Mohamed Abdallahi Ould Ettaleb Othman, leader of the Democratic Alliance: As a political party, we support the Moroccan proposal. The Moroccan proposal is modern and beneficial to the peoples of the entire region, which is in dire need to be united for a united Maghreb. Without the Arab Maghreb Union, the aspirations of regional trade and economic growth will not be fulfilled. The situation of the Maghreb today hinders the region’s development. Our Party supports the Moroccan initiative and supports Morocco’s king and Government.
Statement by Lbat Ould Itah, Secretary General of the Third Generation Party: This solution is good even though it still needs to be examined. Those who read it will find that it is the appropriate solution, which should be adopted by all countries in the region. We as people have extension in Morocco and Mauritania. We're very interested in settling the problem for the development of our people.
Mohamed Ould Bidih, leader of the Popular Congress of Mauritania: The solution put forward by Morocco is a civilized one adopted by parties because of its value in practice and in existence as a solution of coexistence of the peoples of the Maghreb.
Statement by Mohammed Bah, Secretary General of Labor and National Unity Party: We came here for the Moroccan initiative put forward to solve this problem of the Sahara because it is in fact it is a valuable and constructive initiative to resolve the problem. This problem is an obstacle to the Arab Maghreb Union. We believe that this solution is the only one that can be adopted to solve the problem permanently.