.:: Royal Advisory Council For Saharan Affairs ::. Sessions

Sessions

Ould Errachid: Nation unity is the real solution and only way-out for all Sahrawis
2/8/2008

Al Sharq Al Awsat: The Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs was completed the day before yesterday in Rabat, in its first meeting since his creation by the Moroccan monarch, King Mohammed VI last March 25 in Laayoune, a major provincial city in the Moroccan Sahara. The meeting agenda focused on rules of procedure to be submitted to King Mohammed VI, and the election of nine Vice-Presidents, who make up the Council’s bureau.

The Moroccan monarch had appointed Khalihenna Ould Errachid, former Minister of Saharan affairs as chairman of the Council, and appointed Maoulainaine Ben Khalihenna, Secretary General. The 141 members of the Council formed a committee to develop the rules of procedure, to be presented to its members for ratification in accordance with Article 14 of the founding Royal Decree.

Corcas chairman, Khalihenna Ould Errachid, said the nation unity under the political openness and the effective and full participation in the management of public affairs, will remain the real choice and the only recourse for all Sahrawis, regardless of their positions, attitudes and tendencies, so as to show to the whole world that those who seek separation and segregation are isolated and represent only themselves.

In his opening speech, Ould Errachid said that focus should on «working on ways to facilitate the return of our brothers from the camps (Tindouf) to enjoy warmth in their homeland among their relatives, by implementing a civilized way of communication and persuasion, to highlight the new reality which is under the policy of King Mohammed VI».

Ould Errachid said that the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs is a consultation authority on public and private issues relating to the defence of the Kingdom’s territorial unity, national unity and human, economic and social development. Ould Errachid noted that the Royal determination will enable the Council’s members to work with «seriousness, dedication and sincere patriotism», and exercise their functions «without restrictions or political obstacles or administrative or bureaucratic hindrances ».

The chairman of the Sahrawi Council said that the recent visit of King Mohammed VI to the southern provinces was «a historic turning point», given their weight, symbolism and political dimensions. The meeting was attended, in addition to the members of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs, by Chakib Benmoussa, Interior Minister, Mohamed Benaissa, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, and Fouad Ali Al Himma, Minister Delegate to the Interior.

Observers noted that Al Himma Longley talked with Rquibi AL Khalili, a member of the Council, and with the father of Polisario Secretary General, Mohamed Abdelaziz.

News and events relating to Western Sahara issue/ Corcas