"The endorsement of the proposal by all segments of the Moroccan people - especially the tribes and populations of the southern provinces - was tantamount to a self-determination exercise, in its loftiest form, because it combines the ingredients of unity with democracy and progress," CORCAS representatives stressed at a meeting, held Friday at the Royal Palace in Rabat during which they were informed by the adviser of King Mohammed VI about the progress achieved in preparing the draft autonomy proposal. 

Morocco is devising the autonomy proposal part of its tireless efforts to solve the three-decade long dispute with the Algerian-backed separatist movement "Polisario" which claims independence of the former Spanish colony. The territory was retrieved by Morocco under the 1975 Madrid Accords signed with Spain and Mauritania.

The CORCAS leaders meeting with the monarch's advisor follow those held these past days with the leaders of the political parties, the Prime Minister and the Speakers of both Houses of the Parliament.

According to a communiqué of the King’s Private Office, the representatives of the CORCAS, including its chairman, Khalihenna Ould Errachid, a dignitary of the Sahara, said they would rally further support for this “promising democratic proposal - which enhances the country’s unity and is unanimously endorsed by the populations of the southern provinces.

” They also vowed to make sure “the other sons of the Sahara, wherever they may be, will endorse it as well, within a united Moroccan state,” in an allusion to the tens of thousands of the Moroccan Sahara natives held against their will in the Polisario-controlled Camps of Tindouf, south-western Algeria. 

During the meeting, it was underlined that the autonomy proposal is considered as a “judicious and courageous project, which is the equitable, final political solution for putting an end to the human tragedy endured by our displaced Moroccan brethren,” in Tindouf.

Participants made it clear that the Kingdom’s right to full sovereignty over its entire territory is “non-negotiable.”