It pretends that the Sahara affair is a decolonization case. This affirmation by Algeria is contrary to the reality.
The Sahara affair is not considered by the United Nations as a decolonization affair. It has never been the case.
Sahara decolonization took place in 1975 when Spain and Morocco signed an agreement in this effect according to the historic relationships which have always existed between the two countries.
The decolonization process of Moroccan territories which were under Spanish domination at the time of the protectorate always took place through negotiations.
Therefore, Morocco regained the north zone in 1956, Tangier in April 1956, Tarfaya and Tan Tan in 1958, Sidi Ifni in 1969 and the Sahara in 1975. It is mentioned in history.
The agreement confirming this colonization was registered at the UN.
The current Sahara conflict has nothing to do with decolonization. It is a conflict born from the border disagreement between Morocco and Algeria and the unceasing inter-Arab and African conflicts relating to the Cold War.
We should say it clearly.
The UN does not consider the Sahara conflict as a colonization affair but a political conflict.
The fact that there is a cease fire and the presence of a UN body such as MINURSO, which is assuring surveillance, do not make of the Sahara a colonization case.
The United Nations are present in similar cases such as, Cyprus, Democratic Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Haiti and Ivory Coast.
The presence of UN troops does not imply a decolonization affair.
Concerning Algeria’s declaration that the Sahara is the last African colonial territory, it is simply a real poisoning and absolute counter reality.
Algeria desperately and tirelessly mourns Baker plan, even if this plan was completely and definitely abandoned by the UN Security Council and by all international community.
In this regard, The Security Council has called parties to find a political, consensual and mutually acceptable solution.
This consensual and mutually acceptable political solution is autonomy within the framework Morocco’ sovereignty.
It is at the request of the international community that Morocco has prepared this project, in conformity with international legality.
Concerning Algeria’s claims on fidelity and convictions, this country has not stopped astonishing us by its permanent contradictions.
We want to remind Algeria that in September 2006, it addressed a memorandum to the United Nations related to the Sahara in which it says in Paragraph 20, “Algeria rejects taking part in negotiations relating to the Western Sahara issue, having nothing to claim or give. only Sahrawi people and their legitimate representative, the Polisario Front who have the right to decide the future of Western Sahara through a self determination referendum, free, fair and without constraints”.
How come now that Algeria is still attached to Baker plan although it has been abandoned by the UN Security Council?
How come that Algeria does not give any attention to principles and international legality which calls for a political consensual and mutually acceptable solution?
How come that Algeria which claims that it is abound by principles and international legality thinks alone that Polisario is the unique and legitimate representative of Sahrawi people?
How come that Algeria which claims that it is attached to self-determination right violates this same right by recognizing a so-called “RASD” which it shelters and finances on its own territory and permits itself to decide in advance the result of the referendum?
Finally how come that Algeria which clearly declares to the UN that it has nothing to claim or give?
Would it oppose the fair and honourable solution asked by the international community mainly the Security Council and its members?
Algeria, a friendly and brotherly country should abandon its past dreams and its allegations which are no longer convincing in order to sincerely take the way of harmony and pragmatism and stop making obstacles in front of the efforts of the international community represented by the UN Security Council in its efforts to find a political, fair, and honourable solution to the Sahara.
All world countries have asked Morocco to commit itself to autonomy in order to find a way out.
We hope that the aid that Algeria says it wants to provide will be really positive, constructive and not mere allegations.
It mentioned in the last paragraph made by the spokesman’s declaration that “Algeria will go on providing help to the United Nations and its Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-Moon in order to find a definitive solution for the Western Sahara issue”.
If this is the case, we will be the first to be congratulated and congratulate the people of the Arab Maghreb Union.
Source: CORCAS