Sierra Leone Underlines that Autonomy Plan ‘Promotes Realism and Compromise’ to Achieve Lasting Solution to Moroccan Sahara Issue

The Moroccan autonomy plan “promotes realism and compromise for a lasting solution to the Sahara issue,” said Wednesday in New York, the Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the UN. “Sierra Leone reiterates its support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative since it promotes realism and compromise for a lasting solution to the Sahara issue,” she stressed before the members of the 4th committee of the UN General Assembly. The diplomat reaffirmed her country’s support for the political process conducted under the “exclusive” aegis of the UN Secretary-General aimed at achieving a “lasting and mutually acceptable solution to this regional dispute”. She also welcomed the appointment of Staffan de Mistura as the UN SG’s personal envoy for the Moroccan Sahara, encouraging him to capitalize on this “very important” momentum. Sierra Leone welcomes, in this regard, the holding of the two previous round tables by the parties concerned namely Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the Polisario, she said, adding that her country “is impatiently awaiting” a third round table with the resumption of the political process. In addition, the representative of Sierra Leone commended Morocco’s efforts to meet the development and health needs of the populations of the Moroccan Sahara, in particular through access to Covid-19 vaccines.