UN/Sahara: The Gambia Reaffirms ‘Strong Support’ for Morocco’s Autonomy Initiative

The Gambia reaffirmed, before the 4th Committee of the UN General Assembly, its “strong support” for the autonomy initiative as a serious, reliable and compromise solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara. This initiative, which is in line with international law, would also contribute to promoting stability and security in the Sahel region, said the representative of the Gambian delegation at a meeting of the UN Committee held Tuesday in New York. The diplomat highlighted, in this regard, the “positive steps” undertaken by Morocco to “ensure that the political process remains engaging and focused on achieving a lasting solution” to the regional dispute over the Sahara. He also welcomed the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy for the Moroccan Sahara aimed at resuming the political process. The Gambian representative underlined, before the members of the Committee, the substantial progress made by Morocco in the area of ​​human rights in its southern provinces, welcoming in this regard the role of the regional commissions of the National Human Rights Council in the cities of Dakhla and Laayoune. He also commended Morocco’s efforts to create an inclusive environment that ensures the participation of the populations of the southern provinces in democratic processes at the national and regional levels. The diplomat welcomed the socio-economic development dynamic in these provinces thanks to the new development model launched in 2015.