Sahara Issue: Guinea Backs Morocco’s Autonomy Plan

Posted on by

The Republic of Guinea has voiced support for Morocco’s autonomy plan in the Sahara, noting that the credibility of this initiative has been enshrined in all Security Council resolutions. “My country strongly believes in the Moroccan autonomy initiative whose credibility is enshrined in all Security Council resolutions and recognized by more than a hundred UN member states,” said the ambassador and permanent representative of the Republic of Guinea to the United Nations, Paul Goa Zoumanigui, before the Fourth Committee of the UN General Assembly in New York. He noted that this initiative, which is consistent with international law, the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions, ensures the promotion and protection of human rights in the Sahara region. The diplomat also highlighted the socio-economic development process undertaken by Morocco in its southern provinces, in addition to the organization of general legislative, communal and regional elections across the entire national territory, including in the Moroccan Sahara. The ambassador welcomed the initiatives of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, Staffan de Mistura, in particular his recent visits to the region between July and September 2023, as well as the bilateral consultations he held to facilitate the relaunch of the political dialogue process involving Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the “Polisario”. The diplomat stressed that his country supports the regular convening of round tables like those held in Geneva with the participation of all stakeholders. Referring to the human rights situation in the Tindouf camps, in the south-west of Algeria, Mr. Zoumanigui slammed the violations of the rights of children and women in these camps “by some parties to the conflict”. “These actions are against the ideals of the United Nations and can only benefit terrorism and undermine Morocco’s peace efforts,” he warned, urging all stakeholders in this regional dispute to get fully involved in a spirit of realism and compromise to achieve a pragmatic and lasting settlement of the Sahara issue. The ambassador also thanked Morocco for facilitating the opening of Guinea’s consulate general in Dakhla, noting that this opportunity will strengthen relations of friendship and cooperation with the Kingdom.