The conference was organized under the "3rd week of Africa in Mexico,” under the theme “The Sahara between yesterday and today”.

At this conference, Mr. Ahl Abdelkader outlined the Moroccan proposal of autonomy for the Sahara, which serves as a basis for negotiations between parties in Manhasset, near New York.

The speaker mentioned the historical context of the gradual recovery by Moroccan territories colonized by France and Spain, saying that at any time "the sultan of Morocco exercised power over the Sahara, through the appointment of direct officials such as Caids in some regions and their personal representatives in others as is the case of Sheikh Maoulainin''.

Mr. Ahl Abdelkader stressed that "the Sahara conflict was fueled by Morocco’s opponents, who opposed its territorial integrity, financing and supporting Polisario'', who "abused and manipulated the population in Tindouf, in Algeria, against its own will''.  

He believed that "the greatest concern'' is the current situation of the populations in the Tindouf camps, noting that the autonomy project proposed by Morocco is the ideal solution for these people to return to their country and regain their families". 

Mr. Ahl Abdelkader Longley explained the Moroccan initiative, which "guarantees to all Sahrawis, at home or abroad, their rights without any discrimination or exclusion within the bodies and institutions of the region''.

This initiative, which is "inspired by a spirit of openness,'' he stressed," proposes to create conditions for a process of dialogue and negotiation that would lead to a mutually acceptable political solution''.

Underlining the basic elements underlying the Moroccan initiative, the Corcas member explained that the Sahara region would have its own legislative, executive and judicial bodies and the population would have the financial resources necessary for its development in all fields.

The speaker also detailed the approval and implementation process of autonomy, emphasizing the need to revise the Moroccan constitution to incorporate the new the Sahara statute, the proclamation of a general amnesty and the establishment of a transition board to facilitate repatriation, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of armed elements.

"Like members of the international community, the Kingdom of Morocco is convinced that the solution to the dispute over the Sahara can only be the result of negotiations'', said Ahl Abdelkader.

In this context, "Morocco, he added, is committed to negotiate in good faith and in a constructive, open and sincere spirit to reach a final political and mutually acceptable solution”.  

Finally, Morocco "hopes to see the other parties assess the meaning and scope of this proposal and make a positive and constructive contribution,” concluded Mr. Abdelkader Ahl.

Source: MAP
-News on Western Sahara issue/ Corcas-