Speaking at a meeting held Thursday at the Parliament headquarters, the Forum of Women Parliamentarians in Morocco, on the “latest developments in the issue of territorial integrity: autonomy between foundations, specificities and international standards ", Mr Khalihenna Ould Errachid said that the influential countries on the international scene had spoken "in favor of autonomy and support Morocco in this sense" and, after becoming aware of the project.

    While the Moroccan proposal was welcomed by these countries, many countries had withdrawn their recognition of the so called "SADR" in Africa, Asia and Latin America, said Mr. Khalihenna Ould Errachid, noting that the recognition of this entity is no longer a major problem because of the evolution of the Sahara issue and the legitimacy of autonomy.   

    Mr. Khalihenna Ould Errachid also indicated that the autonomy of the southern provinces part of a desire to give this region «expanded regionalization that will have considerable political and economic benefits for Morocco". 

    As demonstrated by international experience, autonomy is a lever for development, allowing economic take-off and consolidates the foundations of democracy, he said, adding that this mode of governance will benefit from the enormous potentiality in the southern provinces, particularly with regard to telecommunications, marine fisheries and tourism, and the proximity to the Canary Islands.  

 Autonomy project, which reinforces territorial integrity and the links between the various components of the Moroccan people, respects the rule of law and international standards, said Mr. Khalihenna Ould Errachid.

    Mr. Khalihenna Ould Errachid mentioned the context in which was established CORCAS during the historic visit by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in the city of Laayoune, noting that the date of 25 March 2006 was a turning point for the southern inhabitants, who have fully adhered to autonomy project because it provides ideal framework for a dignified life.

   CORCAS President also talked about divisions within the Polisario Front, after the creation of this Council, noting that separatists are now divided between "minority leaders, linked with the Algerian intelligence services, which are losing ground and executives from the front ie ministers, diplomats and military officials who support the Moroccan proposal.

    He also stressed that Morocco has adopted in recent years, an offensive and constructive diplomacy, which has destabilized the ranks of Polisario and Algeria.

   Morocco’s challenge today is to remove Algeria from the Sahara issue and forces it to assume its public allegations in which it claims not to be involved in the conflict,"said Khalihenna Ould Errachid, recalling that through its autonomy project, Morocco has a solution that satisfies all parties.

    For his part, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, M. Abdelwahed Radi, gave a historical overview of the artificial conflict maintained around the Moroccan Sahara issue, mentioning the heroic resistance led by the Moroccan Liberation Army, which had in its ranks Sahrawi fighters alongside their fellow citizens from within, against the Spanish colonizers.

    Mr. Radi also recalled the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice in The Hague confirmed that, throughout history, there have been ties of allegiance between the inhabitants of the Sahara and the sultans of Morocco.

    At the start of the meeting, the Chair of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians in Morocco, Ms. Skalli Zahia Dadi, stressed that the holding of this meeting reflects the interest of women mps to major political events and their contribution to  preserve the territorial integrity of the Kingdom.

    Ms. Skalli also hailed the role of Moroccan women parliamentarians in the framework of parliamentary diplomacy to counter the arguments of opponents of Morocco's territorial integrity, adding that this event sheds light on the latest developments in Sahara issue following the Moroccan proposal to grant broad autonomy to the southern provinces.

   This meeting was attended by the minister responsible for relations with Parliament, Mr. Saad El Alami and CORCAS Secretary General, Mr. Maouelainin Ben Khalihenna Maouelainin.

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