King appoints CORCAS chairperson and Secretary General
King Mohammed VI, accompanied by his younger brother Prince Moulay Rachid, appointed, on Saturday in Laayoune (1100 km south of Rabat), Khali Hanna Ould Er-Rachid chairperson of Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affaires (CORCAS) and Malaiinaine Ben Khali Hanna Malaiinaine Secretary General of the Council.
In a speech addressed to the nation earlier in the day, the monarch announced the appointment of CORCAS members, in its new composition, to defend Morocco's territorial integrity and shed light on the Sahara issue and the developments and reforms launched in Morocco.
The council, composed of tribes Chioukh, elected representatives and civil society personalities, is a framework of consultation and proposition that assists the king in all the issue related to defend the kingdom's territorial integrity and national unity, promote economic and social development of the southern provinces and preserve their cultural identity.
Khali Hanna Ould Er-Rachid, who is currently chairman of Laayoune municipal council, was appointed by late king Hassan II as Secretary of State in charge of Saharan Affaires (1979-1983) and minister in charge of southern provinces development (1985). The 56-year-old new chairperson was also member in the Independent National Rally Party (RNI) and among the founding members of the Democrat National Party (PND).Malaiinaine Ben Khali Hanna Malaiinaine was governor of several provinces between 1985 to 2004.
In a statement to the press, Moroccan Communication Minister and government spokesman, Nabil Benabdallah, said that the CORCAS composition is “representative” and takes into account “all southern provinces components: tribes Chioukh, notabilities, association, cultural, political and economic actors, adding that it reserved a quota for women, youth and various regional potentials.
He added at the end of the sovereign’s speech that the Council will debate on the southern provinces social and economic development and examine Moroccan autonomy proposals.
The minister also announced the organization of several meetings dedicated to draw proposals that would enrich political parties’ suggestions on autonomy and help drafting the Moroccan proposal related to the territorial integrity issue.