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Friday, March 29, 2024
Written Press

The solution based on autonomy is the ideal solution for the Sahara conflict

The Saharawi leader Khalli Henna Ould Errachid, who is currently serving as chairman of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs, says that consensual solution based on autonomy is the ideal solution for the conflict in Western Sahara.




This statement appeared in an interview he gave to “Al Youm", in which, he discussed the reality of the conflict, the activities of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs appointed by the King of Morocco, King Mohammed VI, and asked to play an important role in settling the conflict.

Ould Errachid was born in November 1951 in Lâayoune at a time when Western Sahara was under the Spanish power, while other regions of Morocco intensified their armed revolution against the Protectorate. 

He founded the Party of the National Sahraoui Union, known by its acronym PUNS. Under Moroccan sovereignty Ould Errachid was chosen as Minister of Saharan affairs between 1977 and 1992, in the various governments that have succeeded in Morocco.

He represented laayoune city as member of parliament in the period from 1977 to 2002. Ould Errachid is one of the founders of the Rally of Independents party, from which he withdrew in 1982, to found the National Democratic Party. Below is the text of the interview:  

Turn the page of the past

Al Youm: let’s start with the amnesty decreed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI for the benefit of 48 Sahrawis on Corcas recommendations. Does it mean that the corcas has already begun its work?
Mr. Khalli Henna Ould Errachid: Indeed, it is a concrete proof that the Council has already begun its serious and constructive action by this political action at a high level.

This step made by His Majesty King Mohammed VI to grant amnesty to those who remained convicted of the latest developments in the southern provinces, is compelling evidence that the policy he has introduced is consistent with his speech on March,25 in laayoune, on the final and total reconciliation with Sahrawis. He turned the page on its past with its problems and opened a new chapter focusing primarily on the construction of Morocco on solid, strong and modern bases in all areas.

Thus, the current policy suggests that the Moroccan project headed by the King is serious and credible.

Baker project is definitively buried 

Al Youm: In addition to having recommended the extension of the United Nations mission in the Sahara, the latest report by Kofi Annan invited the parties to the conflict to a just solution accepted by everyone. Does this mean that James Baker plan and the referendum on self-determination are finally abandoned?

KOE: It's true, this is the first deduction Kofi Annane’s report, currently before the Security Council, waiting for a decision.  

Koffi Annan reaffirms that James Baker plan is finally buried. It is a project that is not adapted to the situation concerning the case of the Sahara.

In the same way, the proposed referendum based on identification, which has occupied the United Nations for many years could not succeed because the United Nations has never conducted a referendum on the basis of identification Since its founding in 1948, not a single referendum.

That is why this referendum is unfeasible. The Saharan tribes identified by the United Nations do not live only in the Moroccan Sahara, but also in the neighbouring countries: Algeria, Mauritania and northern Mali.

So if we want to hold a free, fair, and democratic referendum, the referendum must include all Saharans across these different countries. And it is obviously not possible.

Hence the absolute impossibility of organizing a referendum based on identification. We can then bring, a political agreement that satisfies all parties.

The proposed autonomy is just to Saharans


Al Youm: In response, Polisario leader qualified as unjust the autonomy plan vis-à-vis Sahrawis, while the Moroccan government through its spokesman, Nabil Benabdallah refused any negotiation with Polisario , even if he backs negotiation with Algeria. You, as Advisory Council, what is your position on these comments?

KOE: The draft autonomy does no harm Sahrawis, on the contrary, justice is rendered to them in various fields.


First, formal recognition of their place in the Moroccan state, as a fundamental component of the Moroccan nation, throughout history was made.

Secondly, autonomy is not unfair to the Saharans concerning self-determination, it grants them rights, not only economic and social but also political.

Accordingly, this is a project that opens for the region’s people the opportunity to be the masters of their land, manage their affairs themselves.

It allows them, in economic terms, to enjoy all the benefits and preserves, on the social level all customs specific to them, in a global context, the Kingdom of Morocco. The Sahara inhabitants have a historic and religious link with the King of Morocco, a link for their children, like their ancestors, which can not be abandoned under any condition, namely Al Baiaa.

Political, economic and social rights follow this Baiaa. These Rights are included within autonomy. 


Ready to negotiate with Polisario

Of course, and to implement the project of autonomy, we are ready to enter into negotiations with members of the Polisario Front, who are our brothers and our parents, but unfortunately, were encouraged by the global conditions and the conditions in Morocco to adopt this extreme position.

But now they have no excuse to claim separatism, especially since all the claims of Saharans are included in the proposed autonomy.


Regarding the brotherly country, Algeria, they say, they are not party to the conflict. We say ok, we believe in what you are saying. Therefore, we will ask them to put aside past disputes, such as border problems.

Resolution of these issues is complete and they are part of the past. We therefore ask them to support us to begin negotiations with our brothers in Polisario to gather Saharans and lay the foundations of autonomy, which will ensure all their objectives and goals.

It will provide grant Morocco final sovereignty. It will perform for the Moroccan Sahrawis their political, economic, social and cultural demands and preserve Algeria its dignity because it has helped Saharans for so many years.

Peace erases what precedes

Al Youm: You have called Polisario leader to accept the proposal of autonomy and you have indicated that you are ready to help him be the first president of the authority of self-government. On the other hand,  many people request that he should be prosecuted as a war criminal, due the charges against him made by Moroccan prisoners and the camps inhabitants?

KOE: Listen, peace erases what precedes. And because reconciliation is a fundamental part of peace, then we cannot wage war while we move towards peace.

We are ready to help our brother Mohamed Abdelaziz (Polisario leader) to take the presidency of the authority of self-government, with all our strength and energy, within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty and under the leadership of King Mohammed VI. We want to turn the page of the past and open a new one.


Al Youm: it is said that you want to meet with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika?

KOE: First, we learned that President Bouteflika underwent medical consultation, we wish him speedy recovery and good health.

Regarding the answer to your question, I actually asked His Majesty King permission to talk with President Bouteflika and the Algerian government, because we want to tell them directly that we authentic Saharans and that the majority of Saharawis living under Moroccan sovereignty believe that autonomy is the only way to achieve reconciliation and that autonomy is sufficient.  

The African continent suffers from many problems and crises. The poor countries based on tribalism have not succeeded. Somalia, the African Arab and brotherly country, whose main problem is tribal disagreement. Look at what is happening today in Darfur in western Sudan, where tribes… kill each other.

Thus, the construction of a small entity based on tribal basis is impossible, since it will be an area of tension that would lead to tragedies in the Arab Maghreb and Africa, and even in the world.

Al Youm: Have you started your contacts with the Saharan tribes both within and outside Morocco?
KOE: Of course, since the first day, March,25 we began our internal and external contacts to explain this historic step.
 

Undoubtedly, such an unprecedented step in Morocco will bring about historical reconciliation. We started to explain the proposal to citizens, through the means of information and communication. And according to initial reactions, the majority of Saharawis are satisfied with this project.

Source: "Al Youm Assiyassi"
- News regarding the question of Western Sahara -

 

 

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