Speaking at the C-24 annual meeting held in New York, Gambia’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Lamin Faati, underlined that Morocco’s autonomy plan could contribute to the security and stability of the region at a time when the Sahel region is faced with unprecedented security challenges, adding that this initiative « enjoys notable international support ».
He also recalled that the Moroccan autonomy plan was hailed as serious and credible by the Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2654.
The diplomat underlined « the constructive and cooperative approach that has been consistently demonstrated by the Kingdom of Morocco towards resolving this dispute », while calling on the other parties to also assume a constructive posture in order to propel the ongoing political process toward the ultimate goal of reaching a compromise solution.
He also welcomed the efforts undertaken by the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General, Staffan De Mistura, with a view to finding a peaceful, mutually acceptable and lasting solution to this prolonged dispute.
« We encourage all the stakeholders to remain committed to the roundtable process and to pursue a realistic, practicable and sustainable solution to this regional dispute, based on compromise, as mandated by the UN Security Council, » the Gambian diplomat underlined.
He also welcomed the participation of the elected representatives of the regions of the Moroccan Sahara in the annual sessions of the C24 as well as in the two roundtables held in Geneva.
« We are encouraged by the achievements registered by Morocco’s regional commissions of the National Council of Human Rights in Laayoune and Dakhla, and commend the efforts of the Kingdom of Morocco in maintaining full cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and with the relevant Human Rights special procedures in the various areas of concern, » he said.
The Gambian diplomat commended the development trajectory pursued by the Kingdom of Morocco in the Moroccan Sahara through billions of dollars in investments and projects, within the framework of the New Development Model for the Moroccan Sahara launched in 2015.
« This, we believe, demonstrates the Kingdom of Morocco’s long-term investment in peace and development for the region, » he pointed out, adding that « this initiative is undoubtedly creating many opportunities for economic growth while improving the living standards of the populations living in the region ».
The diplomat recalled that his country along with 28 other countries maintain general consulates in Laayoune and Dakhla « in order to deepen our engagement with the Sahara region, as a hub of development, while promoting peace, prosperity and stability for the entire region. »