The Sahara dispute dates back to 1976, a year after Spain ceded the territory to Morocco under the Madrid Accords. However, the Polisario, started laying claims to the territory. A war broke out between the two parties and lasted until 1991 when the UN brokered a ceasefire.

    The statement was made at the end of a meeting between chairman of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs (CORCAS), Khalihenna Ould Errachid and visiting head of Middle East, Northern Africa department at the Danish Foreign Ministry, Mr. Inker Thomas.

    Mr. Inker, hailed, on the occasion, Morocco's efforts to secure stability and security in the Maghreb Region (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania).

    During this meeting, the two parties discussed the latest developments of the Sahara issue, Morocco’s initiative to grant substantial autonomy to its southern provinces (the Sahara) as well as the positive stances vis-à-vis this initiative.

    Morocco and Polisario held two rounds of negotiations -on June 18-19 and August 10-11 - in Manhasset (outskirts of New York) under the auspices of the United Nations and in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolution 1754 of 30 April 2007, which called on the parties to "enter into negotiations in good faith and without preconditions." 

    During these negotiations, Morocco presented its proposal to grant a substantial autonomy to it Southern provinces, the Sahara. This initiative was described as "serious and credible" by the superpowers members of the Security Council and was also backed by other influential capitals.

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