C24: Antigua and Barbuda Reaffirms Support for Autonomy Plan, “The Compromise Solution”

Antigua and Barbuda reiterated, in New York, its support for the autonomy plan deeming it the “compromise solution” to resolve the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara. Presented by Morocco in 2007, this initiative “is consistent with international law, the United Nations Charter and the resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly”, underlined Ambassador Walton Alfonso Webson, permanent representative of Antigua and Barbuda at the ordinary session of the UN Committee of 24 (June 10-21).  Expressing his country’s support for the political process carried out under the exclusive auspices of the UN Secretary-General, Webson called for the resumption of the round table process with the participation of Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the “polisario”. He also welcomed the participation of democratically re-elected representatives of the Moroccan Sahara in regional seminars and annual meetings of the C24, as well as in the two round tables held in Geneva.  The diplomat also commended the socio-economic development underway in the Moroccan Sahara, thanks to investments and projects implemented within the framework of the New Development Model of the Southern Provinces. He further invited all parties to remain engaged in the political process with a view to achieving a political and peaceful solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara. The ambassador praised Morocco’s full respect of the ceasefire and its full and continued cooperation with MINURSO, calling on the other parties to return to the ceasefire because the security and stability of the whole region is at stake, and to cease any obstruction to MINURSO’s freedom of movement.