Mr. Khalihenna Ould Errachid said that the autonomy proposal under Moroccan sovereignty is "the only solution to definitively solve the Sahara issue", adding that facing the impasse made by this artificial conflict, this proposal is a "historical, revolutionary project and unprecedented experience in the Arab Islamic world and in  the African continent. "

He added that this project will involve all components of Moroccan society in building modernist and democratic Morocco, pointing out that this option will also enable the United Nations to resolve the Western Sahara conflict by agreement of all parties.

He said that Sahrawis have always been Moroccans through allegiance ties from the time of  Almoravids, highlighting that this proposal guarantees for Sahrawis political, economic, social and cultural rights. 

He emphasized that "the autonomy project in the southern provinces was not submitted neither by the government nor the Administration, but a project by His Majesty King Mohammed VI," he said, adding that the Moroccan people with all its segments from Tangiers to Lagouira are behind His Majesty the King to find a final settlement to the Sahara issue which hinders the development of the Maghreb and threatens its stability and prosperity.

Mr. Ould Errachid said that the choice of autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty "will enable all Sahrawis to feel that they are an integral part of Morocco, and enable them to manage their own affairs and participate in the process of their country and contribute to the final settlement to the Sahara issue," noting that the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs is an institution directly linked to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and aims to defend the territorial and national integrity.

Through the event, Mr. Ould Errachid highlighted the proactive role played by members of the Moroccan community residing abroad, especially those who come from the southern provinces of the Kingdom in defining the new policy adopted by Morocco in its southern provinces under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

He highlighted that "the Kingdom reaches out to all Sahrawis wherever they are, and Morocco is listening to all of its components," pointing out that the option of self-government will be translated through extensive decentralization, as well as political, economic, social and cultural participation in building modern Morocco.

In referring to the controversial context which witnessed the emergence of the separatist movement, Mr Ould Errachid noted that "today we can achieve reconciliation with all parties and components of the Moroccan civil society who had been unsatisfied with the administration of Morocco".

He noted in this regard the need to permanently get rid of the differences and confrontations of the past in order to open a new page where all Sahrawis will be involved in the process of their country.

He also said that the leaders of the separatist movement, who are all Moroccans, have followed their primary, secondary and university studies in Morocco and all of them have also family ties in Morocco.
He mentioned, as an example, the father of Mohammed Abdel-Aziz, explaining that he is "an active member of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs."

Speaking on the achievements of Morocco, Mr. Ould Errachid said that the Kingdom has become a major workshops of reforms in the field of democracy, respect for human rights, and the field of individual and collective freedoms, as well as the place occupied by women within the community.

On the other hand, Mr. Ould Errachid was pleased that the first meeting outside the Kingdom of the members of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs was held in France, "this country which has been sharing with Morocco, since its independence, political, excellent diplomatic, economic, social and cultural relations."

He pointed out that this visit comes within the framework of the Council's strategy to publicize its objectives and defend national issues of the Kingdom, mainly the issue of the Sahara.

The Participants in the meeting praised this initiative taken by the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs to engage in transparent dialogue and debate on the functions and objectives of this institution. They also commended the proposal of an expanded self-rule to be submitted by Morocco to the United Nations.

They also asked the President of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs to convey to His Majesty the King dedication and loyalty obligations, as well as their attachment to the glorious Alawite throne, expressing their readiness to defend the territorial integrity and national unity of the Kingdom.

This meeting was attended by Mr. Fathallah Sijilmassi Ambassador of Morocco in France, the Secretary General of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs, Mr. Ben Khalihenna Maouelainin, Ms. Kulthoum Khyati, Moulay Ahmed Mghaizlat, Mr. Breika Zerouali, Mr. Othman Aila, Mr. Aba Abdel Aziz, Mr. Ali Salem Chakkaf, and Mr.
Chrif Moulay Hassan, Mr. Khadad Moussaoui, as well as heads and representatives of Saharan associations in France.  

During this meeting, Council chairman, Mr Khalihenna Ould Errachid made a presentation followed by a series of questions that focused on the composition and objectives of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs, the functions of his presidency, the Moroccan Constitution, the new self-governance proposal as a strategy to end the Sahara issue, European non-governmental organizations and their support for the front Polisario, the royal pardon for some Sahrawi prisoners, the position of Algeria, and reconciliation between the Moroccan administration and citizens of the southern regions of Morocco.

  The meeting was attended by the heads and representatives of the Sahrawi associations in France:
  Latif Lahcen, Chairman, President of the Association of Moroccan Sahrawi tribes in Europe
  Ibrahim Arfala, the abovementioned Association
  Ms. Mbarka Arfla, the abovementioned Association
  Zinni Idriss Moulay Mehdi, President of the Sahrawi Association in France and Europe
  Miss Souja Nadia, mouthpiece of the Special Committee in charge of the Moroccan Sahara in Europe
  Ms Siham Arbib, Municipal Counselor, representative of the International Society for Moroccans residing abroad and the Organization of the Convoy towards the southern regions
  Abderrahim Bohout, Vice President of The Body of Moroccan Workers and Merchants
 in addition to a group of members and friends from the above associations

Source: MAP
(News on Western Sahara issue / Corcas