Senegal Reiterates Support to Autonomy Plan, ‘Appropriate Framework’ to Resolve Moroccan Sahara Issue

Senegal reaffirmed, in New York, its support to the Moroccan autonomy initiative “which remains the appropriate framework” to resolve the regional dispute over the Sahara. “The advanced autonomy initiative proposed by Morocco remains, for my delegation, the appropriate framework in accordance with international law, the UN Charter and the resolutions of the Security Council and the UN General Assembly,” said the representative of Senegal before the members of the Fourth Committee of the UN General Assembly. She also reiterated her country’s support for a final, just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, through a process conducted under the exclusive auspices of the United Nations, on the basis of resolutions adopted by the Security Council since 2007. The Senegalese diplomat urged all parties to remain mobilized in the constructive dynamics instilled by the two round tables in Geneva, showing realism and spirit of compromise, to ensure the success of the political process initiated by the United Nations, while welcoming the efforts to revive this political process undertaken by the Personal Envoy of the UN SG for the Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, through visits to the stakeholders since January 2022. “My country encourages this inclusive approach and reiterates its best wishes for success,” she said. On the same occasion, the representative of Senegal welcomed the progress made by Morocco in the southern provinces, especially in the promotion of human rights and democracy, as well as the considerable efforts made to promote the economic and social development of the Moroccan Sahara while ensuring the empowerment of its population, noting that these advances and efforts testify to the willingness of the Kingdom to resolve this regional dispute. She also recalled the opening on April 5, 2021 by her country of a Consulate General in Dakhla to mark its support for the efforts of Morocco in this region.