The minister welcomed resolution 1813, which calls on the parties in the three-decade Sahara conflict to pursue UN-brokered talks, and extends, by one year, the mandate of the peace-keeping MINURSO mission.
After four rounds of negotiations, the visit of the personal representative of the UN Secretary General, Peter van Walsum in the region, the latest report of the UNSG, and the oral remarks of van Walsum before the Security Council, the UNSC has "decided to consolidate and reinforce the achievements of Morocco," Mr. Fassi Fihri told the press.
He said the council has "once again, and with force, confirmed the pre-eminence of the Moroccan autonomy proposal, under the respect of the territorial sovereignty and national unity of the Kingdom of Morocco, whose efforts (…) were hailed by the Security Council as serious and credible."
The north African country is offering large autonomy to its Southern Provinces (The Sahara) in a bid to end a 32-year dispute over the control of this former Spanish colony with the Algerian-backed Polisario separatists.
The Council, Mr. Fassi Fihri said, also reinforced Morocco’s approach since it has called for intensifying negotiations to discuss the details, in a substantial and profound manner.
The minister voiced Morocco’s readiness to engage in a 5th round of talks on this clear basis, and on the basis of the need expressed the S.C. to put an end to this long-lasting regional dispute.
“All the chances are offered, and all the signals are addressed so as we can quickly engage in substantial negotiations fundamentally on the Moroccan proposal.”
Mr. Fassi Fihri welcomed the positive stances of influential capital in favor of the S.C. resolution, in allusion to Washington and France which welcomed the resolution and hailed Morocco’s autonomy plan.
The United States has clearly voiced support to the autonomy for the Sahara, saying it is the “only realistic way forward to resolve this longstanding conflict.”
For its part France said the “autonomy plan is a basis for serious and constructive negotiations to reach a negotiated solution between the parties, in respect of the principle of self-determination.”
News and events concerning W Sahara / Corcas