 The Australian Arabic Council (AAC) on Wednesday welcomed Morocco's "peaceful and responsible initiative" aimed at restoring security and easing the free movement of citizens and goods in El Guerguerat, in the Moroccan Sahara.
In a statement to the press, the Council expressed "its solidarity and support" to the Kingdom and the responsible measures taken, in accordance with international law, by His Majesty King Mohammed VI to defend Morocco's sovereignty and the rights and security of its citizens.
Expressing "concern" over the recent developments in the buffer zone of El Guerguerat, the AAC recalled that "polisario" militiamen had "committed acts of banditry and obstructed the free movement of vehicles on the main commercial road between the Kingdom and Mauritania, while continuously harassing local civilians.
This blockade, caused by the separatists, was accompanied by the destruction of the road linking Morocco to Mauritania, said the AAC, which is a national organization working on issues of human rights and inter-community dialogue in Australia.
Faced with these provocations, Morocco had immediately alerted the UN Secretary General and senior UN officials of these extremely serious developments, the Council underlined, pointing to the fact that the Kingdom has also drawn the attention of members of the Security Council and neighboring states to this situation.
"An operation was then conducted by Morocco on November 13 to restore free movement at this crossing point," the AAC added, stressing that this operation was conducted peacefully, without clashes or threat to the safety of civilians and in accordance with clear rules of engagement that prohibit any contact with civilians.
The Council reiterated its support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to achieve a negotiated, just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the conflict over the Moroccan Sahara, in accordance with various Security Council resolutions.
Founded in 1992 by a group of eminent jurists and businessmen from the different communities, the AAC runs proactive projects, research the effects and develop, implement and advocate for wide ranging solutions to racism, and consistently promote human rights and community relations.
It also maintains advocacy and communication with media, government, community organizations, business and the public, constantly raising the profile of issues of concern to all Australians.
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