The autonomy initiative, whose predominance has been recognized in the past seven resolutions by the UN Security Council, is a "realistic solution" to resolve the dispute over the Sahara without "winner or loser, "said Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mr. Youssef Amrani.
In an opinion article published Wednesday in the newspaper of general circulation in Spain "El Pais" entitled "Autonomy, solution to the Sahara," Amrani said that Morocco has spared no effort, showing good faith and using all available means to put an end to "this geopolitical conflict and the humanitarian tragedy that cynical calculations impose on a portion of the Saharawi people."
The Moroccan official reiterated in this regard, that the status quo "is not only unacceptable, but represents a serious risk to the Maghreb region and beyond" in this area.
"We cannot afford to keep this region in such uncertainty that would eventually exacerbate existing vulnerabilities," he wrote.
Therefore, it is urgent to "avoid further violence factors seizing the situation to cause further tensions" in the region, says Amrani, noting that Morocco has "assumed voluntarily and fully its responsibilities through its initiative for negotiating an autonomy statute for the Sahara. "
This proposal "offers a constructive response to the call of the Security Council, the Secretary General of the United Nations and the entire international community, which have not ceased to express the desire to achieve a political solution to this regional problem. "
The Moroccan official noted that "after noting the inapplicability of the 1991 settlement plan and the Baker Plan II, the UN Secretary General launched in his report October 18, 2004 and April 2008, a call to end stagnation and move towards a realistic policy in a spirit of compromise. "
Amrani noted in this connection that "the predominance of the Moroccan initiative has been recognized in the past seven resolutions by the Security Council," noting that this proposal "appreciated" by the international community, is an "effective and objective response meeting the recommendations of the Security Council regarding the Sahara issue clearly defining the spirit of compromise and realism for a political solution "to the dispute.
"As a result of a participatory approach through an extensive consultation process at national and local levels, as well as regional and international levels, the Moroccan initiative to negotiate an autonomy statute constitutes a strong political act that reflects a sincere desire and commitment to move towards a political solution, where there is no winner or loser, under the supervision of the United Nations ", noted the deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and cooperation, adding that the autonomy initiative has the support and appreciation of a growing number of countries which do not hesitate to acknowledge the "serious and credible" efforts made by the Kingdom of Morocco.
Because, on the one hand, says Amrani, "it is an initiative that stands to be consistent with international standards, and enables people to manage their affairs democratically, through legislative, executive and judicial bodies. On the other hand, it offers "a compromise solution within the framework of the third track with a vision of a political solution, in full compliance with international law", inspired by contemporary models for conflict resolution. It is also "a commitment which is both a virtue advocated by the international community, a sign of political will in favor of an agreement that favors dialogue, negotiation and reconciliation," says Amrani .
The realistic autonomy proposal is also "a good answer to the hopes and aspirations of the people of which two thirds are currently living in the Sahara region, both in terms of integration and reconciliation and in terms of good governance and development. "
The Minister pointed out in this regard that "limiting oneself to continue to defend alternatives whose inapplicability was established by the UN," the proposal of the other parties disregards the parameters of the Security Council and delays the resolution of this conflict, which has lasted too long, noting that the former personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General, Mr. Peter Van Walsum, had told the security Council in April 2008, that "Sahara independence is not a realistic option."
"The population in the Tindouf camps was excluded and rejected from any consultation. "Worse, the population continues to suffer violations of human rights and is forced to live in deplorable conditions, "said Amrani.
Contrary to this position, he notes, Morocco "continues to fully meet its commitments under an irreversible process which aims to consolidate and further strengthen achievements, thus opposing firmly allegations by other parties which persist in exploiting the human rights issue and deflecting the process of negotiations from its way. "
In this respect, the Moroccan official said that Morocco, after submitting its initiative, undertook a series of reforms in favor of the southern provinces, such as the adoption of a new constitution that enshrines the Sahara-Hassani component, launching a process of broad and ambitious regionalization, covering all regions of the country, starting with the Sahara region, as well as the extension of the scope of rights and freedoms with the opening of regional offices of the National Council of human Rights (CNDH) in Dakhla and Laayoune.
The deputy Minister also mentioned the presentation to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, by the President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Committee (CESE), of the regional development model for the southern provinces. This model "represents a real roadmap, as it offers a platform that is part of an advanced regionalization, and includes, among others, the economic, social, environmental and cultural aspects. Similarly, it emphasizes the need for policy coherence and insists on the principle of governance in its dimensions of basic human rights, decentralization, decentralization, subsidiarity, transparency and accountability.”
Finally, the Minister stressed that Morocco has reiterated its willingness and readiness to solve this problem on the basis of negotiations and "well-defined conditions reaffirmed by the Security Council," noting that this position has been forwarded to Mr. Christopher Ross, personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General, during his last visit to Morocco, both by the government and political parties, as well as components of civil society, with the aim of moving towards a "political solution to ensure peace, security and prosperity of all countries in the Maghreb. "
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