By Deogratias Mmana
The Kingdom of Morocco has welcomed the adoption of a resolution by the United Nations (UN) Security Council, which extends the mandate of the Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara until October 31 next year.
Morocco’s ambassador to Malawi, Naji Abdelkader, confirmed the adoption of the resolution, which was made last week.
According to a statement from the Kingdom of Morocco, the resolution comes in a context marked by the “irreversible trajectory” set by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI regarding the kingdom’s territorial integrity, supported by the backing of permanent members of the Security Council, among others.
The resolution was adopted with 12 votes in favour, two abstentions and the non-participation of the neighbouring country, Algeria, which is a non-permanent member of the Security Council.
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The statement notes that the adopted resolution preserves all of Morocco’s achievements while introducing new, important elements for the future development of the issue within the UN.
“In fact, the new text enshrines the framework for the parties and the aim of the political process. As such, the Council re-established that roundtable talks are the only framework for a political solution to the regional conflict over the Moroccan Sahara,” the statement reads.
It adds that the Security Council reaffirms that a political solution can only be realistic, pragmatic, lasting and based on the compromise of cardinal elements of the Moroccan autonomy initiative.
According to the statement, the Security Council calls on the other parties to avoid acts that could compromise the political process and echoes the kingdom’s official position that there can be no political process without respect for the ceasefire.
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In an interview, Abdelkader said, according to King Mohammed VI, the recognition also supports efforts made at the UN level to lay the groundwork for a political process that would lead to a final settlement of the issue within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.
“The resolution 2756 enshrines two important developments that bolster the kingdom’s position,” Abdelkader said.
The Western Sahara conflict centres on Morocco’s claim to the territory, which it has governed since Spain’s withdrawal in 1975.
Morocco has invested significantly in the region, developing its infrastructure and integrating it into the national economy, which benefits both the local population and the nation as a whole.
