Sahara/C24: Saint Kitts and Nevis Reiterates Support for Morocco’s Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity

Saint Kitts and Nevis reaffirmed during the C24 annual meeting its support for Morocco’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. During this meeting held in New York, the ambassador and permanent representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis to the United Nations, Nerys Dockery, welcomed Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara, noting that this initiative is credible, serious and realistic, as affirmed by the Security Council. This initiative will facilitate the resolution of this prolonged dispute, she pointed out. “We are encouraged in this context by the large support and recognition that this proposal has garnered from the International Community, since its submission in 2007,” she said. The diplomat stressed that her country supports the UN-led political process aimed at reaching a political solution to the regional dispute over the Sahara, adding that the efforts engaged by the Secretary General and his Personal Envoy are able to lead this process towards achieving a realistic, practicable and enduring political solution based on compromise, as called for by the Security Council, including in its resolution 2654 adopted in October 2022. The ambassador encouraged Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and Polisario – to remain committed to the political process, and engage in meaningful dialogue, in a spirit of good faith and cooperation. “St.Kitts and Nevis also recognizes and appreciates the continued efforts invested by the Kingdom of Morocco to ensure the socio-economic development of the Sahara Provinces,” she underlined. “We commend Morocco for the implementation of such grand projects in the Sahara, which have greatly contributed to the empowerment of its populations– including women and youth – and the improvement of the Human Development Indexes in the region”, the diplomat added. The ambassador also commended Morocco’s “substantial” achievements in the field of human rights as outlined by UN Security Council resolutions, its resolution 2654 in particular. She also urged the other parties to respect the cease-fire and to cease all obstructions to MINURSO’s operational activities, including for resupply purposes, stressing that such obstructions are “unacceptable and constitute” a violation of the Security Council resolutions. “The Government of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis applauds the commitment of the Kingdom of Morocco to South-South Cooperation within the African continent, Asia, and the Americas”, she said, adding that “such tangible support and assistance have been paramount to the economic and social development of the people of these Regions”. “The Kingdom continues to prove that it is a valuable international ally and a friend”, the diplomat pointed out.