Rabat, Morocco – Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Morocco Living Abroad, Nasser Bourita, affirmed that Security Council Resolution 2797 constitutes clear and explicit support for the autonomy initiative under Moroccan sovereignty.
Rabat again rejected any link between the right to self-determination
and a “referendum,” stressing that this option “is no longer
on the table and has no place in UN resolutions.”
In an interview with the Spanish news agency EFE, on the sidelines
of the 13th session of the high-level meeting
between Morocco and Spain held yesterday, Thursday, in Madrid,
Bourita clarified that self-determination does not necessarily mean a referendum, saying: “No one has ever said that self-determination is synonymous with a referendum…”
What is worth mentioning is that self-determination allows parties to express their will, and we have no problem with the concept.
But we reject narrow and outdated interpretations for political purposes.”
Reject any international mechanism to monitor the implementation of self-rule
In response to a question about the possibility of an international mechanism overseeing
the implementation of autonomy, Bourita said that this was out of the question.
He added: “When the autonomy agreement is signed,
it will be implemented. Why an international mechanism?”
The international community has given Morocco its confidence
by supporting the initiative.”
The parties specified in the UN resolution
minister explained that Resolution 2797 identified the four parties involved in the negotiations.
He stressed that Morocco will deal clearly with these three other parties (Polisario, Algeria, Mauritania).
This is in accordance with what the decision stipulates,
without the need to discuss who attends and who does not.
He added: “There is no such thing as the people of the Sahara in the resolution,
but rather the inhabitants of the Sahara, and the resolution is clear regarding the participating parties.”
Bourita also denied the existence of any prior negotiations, saying that Rabat “is waiting
for the process to be launched by the party responsible for organizing the negotiations.”
He noted that the United States is interested in hosting the negotiation process.
A comprehensive solution plan and consultations with the parties
Bourita revealed that Morocco is currently working on a “solution plan”
that is being discussed with all political components.
He stressed that the Kingdom is ready for negotiations at the appropriate time.
This is in accordance with an agenda coordinated with the relevant UN and international parties.
Sahara airspace: A close working group
Regarding the management of airspace over the Sahara, the minister explained
that a working group will meet soon to advance the issue.
He stressed that Morocco is the entity responsible for guiding, monitoring,
and protecting the security of aircraft in the region.
He said: “If a plane wants to go to the Sahara, it has to pass through Marrakech…
Who operates it and who is responsible for it? It is Morocco.”
He considered that cooperation exists to find solutions that take into account the interests of Spain and preserve the rights of Morocco.
