A SENAT CHILIAN DELEGATION REAFFIRMS ITS COUNTRY’S
SUPPORT TO THE MOROCCAN TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY
RABAT, 23rd of July
The chairman of the Chilean senate foreign affairs commission, Mr ROBERTO MUNOZ BARRA, who is leading an important senate delegation, visiting the Kingdom of Morocco, confirmed yesterday his country’s support to the Moroccan territorial integrity.
It is notable that the Chilean delegation had a meeting in the Moroccan House of Representatives, with members of the Moroccan foreign affairs commission, frontiers, occupied areas, and defence of the house of councillors.
Mr MUNOZ BARRA indicated that following explanation provided by Moroccan members of Parliament “we will go back with the conviction that Sahara, from the legal, historical, and geographical points of view, is under the sovereignty of this dear country, which is Morocco”.
In the other hand Mr HABIB AL ALJ, chairman of the foreign affairs commission of the house of councillors expressed his respect to the position of the members of the Chilean delegation who have reaffirmed their favourable position concerning Moroccan national cause, and greeted the Moroccan initiative to grant autonomy to the region of Sahara within the Kingdom sovereignty .
Mr AL ALJ has equally reminded the historical and geographical facts of the artificial conflict concerning the Maroccanity of southern provinces.
Mr ROBERTO MUNOZ BARRA, who is equally the president of the Moroccan –Chilean friendship group, is paying a working visit to Morocco until the 26th of July.
Source (MAP)
jeudi 26 juillet 2007
vendredi 11 mai 2007
western sahara between autonomy and status quo
WESTERN SAHARA BETWEEN AUTONOMY AND STATUS QUO
On the 16th of March, an analysis report relating to the recent development of the Western Sahara issue, written by Jacob Mundy, appeared on “middle east report on line”
Not only the title “Western Sahara between autonomy and intifada” is misleading; but even the content of his five page report.
It will be interesting to clarify some historical and legal aspects; in addition to the recent events concerning the future of Western Sahara. Hoping that the reader will learn more about the reality of events surrounding the Western Sahara dispute.
Even if the idea of autonomy is not new, Morocco has recently proposed a project for a substantial autonomy of Western Sahara. The project consists of giving Western Sahara a substantial autonomy within Moroccan sovereignty. Sahraouis are expected to be offered a parliament with power over local policies in terms of management and decisions concerning “southern provinces”, cabinet ministries, and their own judiciary, but the Moroccan flag would fly over the territory, the currency and stamps would be Moroccan, and the Moroccan king would remain the highest religious authority in the land.
It is in the same context that the royal advisory council for Saharan affairs, commonly known by its French acronym CORCAS, was revived by King Mohammed VI in march 2006, by enhancing its official status and defining its role to “foster the culture of dialogue, and thus pave the way for our citizens to help in this process and make practical proposals on matters pertaining to our country’s territorial integrity” (speech of 25th of march delivered by the monarch of Morocco).
This culture of dialogue is the king’s innovative initiative to seek solutions to significant issues facing Morocco. In 2004, Morocco’s truth and reconciliation commission was created to investigate past human rights violations and propose political and judicial reforms which were approved by the king. CORCAS was another example of the king innovative approach to make use of dialogue to find solutions to complex social and economic issues. It is worth mentioning that CORCAS is composed of 140 members (among them 14 women) they represent an ethnic, political, and tribal section of Moroccan society most of CORCAS’s members are representatives from all Sahraoui tribes, including the father of the Polisario leader Mohammed Abdelaziz.
CORCAS’s main task is to seek input from all parties concerned and affected by the 30 year old dispute in order to follow the right way towards a substantial autonomy for the Western Sahara. In this context the polisario was invited to take part of this national dialogue. Up to now the polisario leader has refused.
The kingdom of Morocco has not yet formally submitted its proposal to the United Nations and to the parties concerned (Algeria and Polisario ) .
MOROCCO AND WESTERN SAHARA
From the Moroccan point of view regaining Western Sahara in accordance with the treaty of Madrid of 14 November 1975 marked the end of a continued struggle that lasted over a century. The treaty in question created tension in the northwest of Africa. The Algerians blamed Morocco for refusing to recognise that the Sahraouis had the right to make their own decisions. What they did not appear to realise was that the entire Moroccan population, including Sahraouis, had been fighting for the return of the Sahara since 1884, when Spain laid claim to the area, and since gaining the incomplete independence in 1956. Morocco had continued the fight for unity and territorial integrity.
It is not by chance that the general assembly resolutions adopted in 1965 and 1968 confirming the right to self-determination refer not only to the population of Ifni, but also to that of Western Sahara. Resolution 1514 considered to be the charter of decolonisation, states in paragraph 6 that : “any attempt to destroy partially or wholly the national unity and territorial integrity of a country are incompatible with the aims and ideas of the UN charter”.
When the Algerian question was being examined by the UN general assembly in 1961, Morocco was one of the first to defend Algeria’s territorial integrity which Morocco evoked to regain the Sahara by basing itself not only on history and law but also on the wishes of the population. Morocco had always possessed Western Sahara in the same way as its northern provinces.
In1956, when the protectorate had come to an end, Morocco demanded the return of Western Sahara in order to reconstitute national unity and integrity. Moroccans believe that the recovery of the ex Spanish Sahara was a result of a lengthy national struggle, they pointed out that in 1957 this struggle had resulted in the placing of the Moroccan army of liberation in some areas of the Western Sahara. If it was not for the joint military intervention in 1958 of both French and Spanish troops (Ecouvillon operation) the liberation and reintegration of the Saharan territory would already be carried out. This explains why for a legal and political point of view, the Western Sahara’s issue is still very much in the foreground of Moroccan minds.
In fact the UN recognize two different decolonization problems, that of territories which , at the time of colonization, had no international juridical status to which the procedure providing for self-determination and independence applies, and other territories constituting an integral part of a state, this is clearly the case of Western Sahara, as the international court of justice in the Hague expressly recognized that Western Sahara was not a territory without a master but one over which Morocco exercised its sovereignty “……that at the time of colonization of Western Sahara by Spain, the Cherifian state had a particular character is certain. The particularity lay in that it was founded on the religious link of Islam which united the populations, and on the allegiance of the various tribes to the Sultan through the intermediary of their Caids or Sheikhs, more than on national territory” (see international court of justice / advisory opinion 16/10/1975 )
The link of allegiance is not just formal but has an effective and concrete juridical character which was recognized by the international court of justice, as the normal basis for the tie of nationality. The court therefore decided that Western Sahara was not a TERRA NULLIUS. Its population, although consisting mainly of nomads, was organized in tribes under the authority of elected sheikhs. It found that legal ties of allegiance between the Sultan of Morocco and the tribes living in the territory of Western Sahara existed and that this legal situation was recognized not only by the Sultan and the population concerned, but also by the international community.
As for the wishes of the Sahraouis, these were expressed on several occasions, firstly within the framework of mass participation in various electoral consultations organized in Morocco since 1975. Sahraouis were and still are able to vote for their representatives in the different local, regional, and professional institutions, as well as in the parliament. When it comes to the Sahraoui population, more than two thirds of sahraouis live in the Sahara within Moroccan borders. The rest which is around twenty per cent, including the political and military leadership of the Polisario live in the Tindouf camps inside Algeria.
POLISARIO AND WESTERN SAHARA
Historical facts show that the Polisario, which Algeria claims to be the only liberation movement of the Western Sahara, was created shortly before the decolonization of the territory. In fact the creation of the Polisario took place in Zouerate in Mauritania, by twenty one Sahraouis the 28th of April 1973.
The Polisario has been feeling internal pressure, since the 1991 ceasefire. Thousands of Sahraouis living in the refugee camps in Tindouf are kept against their will, and do not enjoy the basics of freedom of expression but in any case after three decades of isolation in a harsh environment, youngsters who have never been allowed to visit nor to join their families in the Sahara rail in frustration, according to Mrs Khadija Hamdi the wife of the leader of the Polisario “ young sahraouis started to get tired of struggling and living in the refugees camps” she added in an interview with a Spanish newspaper “youngsters do not share the same goals, nor the same preoccupations like their parents” (see newspaper : “Levante” Spanish 08/01/2007 ).
A return to armed confrontation with the Moroccan army is unlikely to happen although Algeria fully supports the Polisario. Diplomatic sources believe that it is almost certain that Algeria would not permit a resumption of hostilities from its soil.
A new movement was created in July 2004 called KHAT AL SHAHID (martyr line) which advocates a negotiated settlement of the Sahara dispute. Mahjoub Salek, spokesman for the movement in an interview with TelQuel magazine explains that it represents itself as an alternative to the current Polisario front leadership, and is preparing a draft resolution of the conflict addressed to all the parties concerned including Spain, the EU and the UN (See TelQuel magazine / Morocco n°243-2006).
The Polisario can not be the sole and legitimate representative of Sahraouis, especially if we take into account that two third of Sahraouis do live under Moroccan sovereignty and most of them fully support the substantial autonomy project. At the same time, some of those living as refugees in Tindouf camps, south-west of Algeria back the autonomy seeing it a solution that guaranties political, economic and social rights of Sahraouis.
Despite the ideological decline of the Polisario it remains a radical totalitarian movement particularly in its methodology. It claims that the number of refugees in the Tindouf camps is around 155.000 people. The UN HCR estimates the figure between 70.000 and 90.000. The Moroccans estimate is lower. The Polisario has two reasons for inflating this number. It enables it to strengthen its legimacy as a main player in the conflict and also to receive humanitarian aid which is distributed in proportion to the number of refugees.
The Polisario was severely accused of human rights abuses, the detention, killing, and the abusive treatment of Moroccan prisoners of war from the late 70’s to 2006. Other accusations were that some of the Sahraouis are kept in the Tindouf camps against their will and do not enjoy freedom of expression.
In a report published in 2003, amnesty international concluded that “freedom of expression, association and movement continued to be restricted in the camps controlled by the Polisario near Tindouf in south western Algeria”.
A full and comprehensive report of an independent committee of inquiry into allegations of violations of human rights, crimes, abuses and various other irregularities brought against the polisario front, was submitted to the special political and decolonisation committee (fourth committee) of the United Nations on the 4th of October 2006. This 38 page report deals with the following aspects :
the use of torture;
the absence of even the minimum level of judicial process;
the condition of detention;
forced labour and rape;
Malnutrition of prisoners and absence of medical care;
the abdication of Moroccan citizens within the international recognised frontiers of Morocco.
At the present time the Polisario is losing momentum. In fact, all the signs indicate that it will weaken further more in case the status quo remains. The Polisario leadership believes that the referendum is the only way to remain an active player in the conflict with the aim to achieving its goal.
BAKER’S PLAN AND THE FAILURE OF ORGANIZING A REFERENDUM
The first version of Mr James Baker’s plan who was nominated the UN special envoy to the Western Sahara, called Baker I or the framework agreement, was delivered in 2000. It was meant to give the inhabitants of Western Sahara self–determination through a large autonomy within the Moroccan sovereignty. A part from defence and foreign policy, all the capacities would be in the responsibility of a local government. Morocco accepted the plan while Algeria and the Polisario rejected it.
The second version, called Baker II, proposed a new framework agreement giving five years of autonomy to Western Sahara within Moroccan sovereignty, where after the referendum is to be held, provided that the inhabitants of Western Sahara will be allowed to vote.
Algeria and the Polisario accepted the plan especially after Morocco rejected it. The rejection of Baker II plan by Morocco and Baker plan I by Algeria and the Polisario, prompted Mr James Baker to resign. Following the failure of Mr Baker mission it does not appear that the Polisario have much chance of winning the present diplomatic battle particularly that the Kingdom of Morocco has approved the first draft for a large autonomy for the Western Sahara.
The Moroccan government held a series of meetings to discuss the proposal with Moroccan political parties and the representatives of sahraouis before completing the final draft which is expected to be submitted to the United Nations sometime during April.
The current deadlock between the Polisario and Morocco can not be allowed to carry on because with it comes the suffering sahraouis who are in detention in the Tindouf camps in Algeria.
THE COUNTDOWN
On October 31st 2006 the United Nations Security Council voted unanimously for a six month extension of the MINURSO. The 1720 resolution urges both parties, the Polisario and Morocco, engaging decisive discussions during the next six months, also the US delegate asked Morocco to present its announced autonomy plan and to engage in discussions with all sahraouis, including the Polisario. An interesting point here is the call for the inclusion of all sahraoui voices including the Polisario.
For a general point of view a call for negotiations, or any form of discussion is a positive step towards the resolution of conflicts. Therefore it is wise for all parties concerned to consider the substantial autonomy proposal as a basis for any future settlement because it aims to come up with a peaceful solution where there is neither a winner nor a loser, and in respect of dignity of all the parties.
The Moroccan proposal is in line with the relevant international standards, and respects the regional specificities and expectations of the local population. It is an open and constructive response to the expectations of the international community and the repeated calls of the United Nations Security Council. Most of world countries welcomed with interest the autonomy proposal put forward by Morocco, deeming that it would create a new dynamism of dialogue to overcome the current deadlock and to contribute to settling the dispute over Western Sahara.
To conclude international community would like to see “entente” take shape between all parties, it does advocate dialogue because it is the shortest path so that peace and harmony prevail in the North African region.
On the 16th of March, an analysis report relating to the recent development of the Western Sahara issue, written by Jacob Mundy, appeared on “middle east report on line”
Not only the title “Western Sahara between autonomy and intifada” is misleading; but even the content of his five page report.
It will be interesting to clarify some historical and legal aspects; in addition to the recent events concerning the future of Western Sahara. Hoping that the reader will learn more about the reality of events surrounding the Western Sahara dispute.
Even if the idea of autonomy is not new, Morocco has recently proposed a project for a substantial autonomy of Western Sahara. The project consists of giving Western Sahara a substantial autonomy within Moroccan sovereignty. Sahraouis are expected to be offered a parliament with power over local policies in terms of management and decisions concerning “southern provinces”, cabinet ministries, and their own judiciary, but the Moroccan flag would fly over the territory, the currency and stamps would be Moroccan, and the Moroccan king would remain the highest religious authority in the land.
It is in the same context that the royal advisory council for Saharan affairs, commonly known by its French acronym CORCAS, was revived by King Mohammed VI in march 2006, by enhancing its official status and defining its role to “foster the culture of dialogue, and thus pave the way for our citizens to help in this process and make practical proposals on matters pertaining to our country’s territorial integrity” (speech of 25th of march delivered by the monarch of Morocco).
This culture of dialogue is the king’s innovative initiative to seek solutions to significant issues facing Morocco. In 2004, Morocco’s truth and reconciliation commission was created to investigate past human rights violations and propose political and judicial reforms which were approved by the king. CORCAS was another example of the king innovative approach to make use of dialogue to find solutions to complex social and economic issues. It is worth mentioning that CORCAS is composed of 140 members (among them 14 women) they represent an ethnic, political, and tribal section of Moroccan society most of CORCAS’s members are representatives from all Sahraoui tribes, including the father of the Polisario leader Mohammed Abdelaziz.
CORCAS’s main task is to seek input from all parties concerned and affected by the 30 year old dispute in order to follow the right way towards a substantial autonomy for the Western Sahara. In this context the polisario was invited to take part of this national dialogue. Up to now the polisario leader has refused.
The kingdom of Morocco has not yet formally submitted its proposal to the United Nations and to the parties concerned (Algeria and Polisario ) .
MOROCCO AND WESTERN SAHARA
From the Moroccan point of view regaining Western Sahara in accordance with the treaty of Madrid of 14 November 1975 marked the end of a continued struggle that lasted over a century. The treaty in question created tension in the northwest of Africa. The Algerians blamed Morocco for refusing to recognise that the Sahraouis had the right to make their own decisions. What they did not appear to realise was that the entire Moroccan population, including Sahraouis, had been fighting for the return of the Sahara since 1884, when Spain laid claim to the area, and since gaining the incomplete independence in 1956. Morocco had continued the fight for unity and territorial integrity.
It is not by chance that the general assembly resolutions adopted in 1965 and 1968 confirming the right to self-determination refer not only to the population of Ifni, but also to that of Western Sahara. Resolution 1514 considered to be the charter of decolonisation, states in paragraph 6 that : “any attempt to destroy partially or wholly the national unity and territorial integrity of a country are incompatible with the aims and ideas of the UN charter”.
When the Algerian question was being examined by the UN general assembly in 1961, Morocco was one of the first to defend Algeria’s territorial integrity which Morocco evoked to regain the Sahara by basing itself not only on history and law but also on the wishes of the population. Morocco had always possessed Western Sahara in the same way as its northern provinces.
In1956, when the protectorate had come to an end, Morocco demanded the return of Western Sahara in order to reconstitute national unity and integrity. Moroccans believe that the recovery of the ex Spanish Sahara was a result of a lengthy national struggle, they pointed out that in 1957 this struggle had resulted in the placing of the Moroccan army of liberation in some areas of the Western Sahara. If it was not for the joint military intervention in 1958 of both French and Spanish troops (Ecouvillon operation) the liberation and reintegration of the Saharan territory would already be carried out. This explains why for a legal and political point of view, the Western Sahara’s issue is still very much in the foreground of Moroccan minds.
In fact the UN recognize two different decolonization problems, that of territories which , at the time of colonization, had no international juridical status to which the procedure providing for self-determination and independence applies, and other territories constituting an integral part of a state, this is clearly the case of Western Sahara, as the international court of justice in the Hague expressly recognized that Western Sahara was not a territory without a master but one over which Morocco exercised its sovereignty “……that at the time of colonization of Western Sahara by Spain, the Cherifian state had a particular character is certain. The particularity lay in that it was founded on the religious link of Islam which united the populations, and on the allegiance of the various tribes to the Sultan through the intermediary of their Caids or Sheikhs, more than on national territory” (see international court of justice / advisory opinion 16/10/1975 )
The link of allegiance is not just formal but has an effective and concrete juridical character which was recognized by the international court of justice, as the normal basis for the tie of nationality. The court therefore decided that Western Sahara was not a TERRA NULLIUS. Its population, although consisting mainly of nomads, was organized in tribes under the authority of elected sheikhs. It found that legal ties of allegiance between the Sultan of Morocco and the tribes living in the territory of Western Sahara existed and that this legal situation was recognized not only by the Sultan and the population concerned, but also by the international community.
As for the wishes of the Sahraouis, these were expressed on several occasions, firstly within the framework of mass participation in various electoral consultations organized in Morocco since 1975. Sahraouis were and still are able to vote for their representatives in the different local, regional, and professional institutions, as well as in the parliament. When it comes to the Sahraoui population, more than two thirds of sahraouis live in the Sahara within Moroccan borders. The rest which is around twenty per cent, including the political and military leadership of the Polisario live in the Tindouf camps inside Algeria.
POLISARIO AND WESTERN SAHARA
Historical facts show that the Polisario, which Algeria claims to be the only liberation movement of the Western Sahara, was created shortly before the decolonization of the territory. In fact the creation of the Polisario took place in Zouerate in Mauritania, by twenty one Sahraouis the 28th of April 1973.
The Polisario has been feeling internal pressure, since the 1991 ceasefire. Thousands of Sahraouis living in the refugee camps in Tindouf are kept against their will, and do not enjoy the basics of freedom of expression but in any case after three decades of isolation in a harsh environment, youngsters who have never been allowed to visit nor to join their families in the Sahara rail in frustration, according to Mrs Khadija Hamdi the wife of the leader of the Polisario “ young sahraouis started to get tired of struggling and living in the refugees camps” she added in an interview with a Spanish newspaper “youngsters do not share the same goals, nor the same preoccupations like their parents” (see newspaper : “Levante” Spanish 08/01/2007 ).
A return to armed confrontation with the Moroccan army is unlikely to happen although Algeria fully supports the Polisario. Diplomatic sources believe that it is almost certain that Algeria would not permit a resumption of hostilities from its soil.
A new movement was created in July 2004 called KHAT AL SHAHID (martyr line) which advocates a negotiated settlement of the Sahara dispute. Mahjoub Salek, spokesman for the movement in an interview with TelQuel magazine explains that it represents itself as an alternative to the current Polisario front leadership, and is preparing a draft resolution of the conflict addressed to all the parties concerned including Spain, the EU and the UN (See TelQuel magazine / Morocco n°243-2006).
The Polisario can not be the sole and legitimate representative of Sahraouis, especially if we take into account that two third of Sahraouis do live under Moroccan sovereignty and most of them fully support the substantial autonomy project. At the same time, some of those living as refugees in Tindouf camps, south-west of Algeria back the autonomy seeing it a solution that guaranties political, economic and social rights of Sahraouis.
Despite the ideological decline of the Polisario it remains a radical totalitarian movement particularly in its methodology. It claims that the number of refugees in the Tindouf camps is around 155.000 people. The UN HCR estimates the figure between 70.000 and 90.000. The Moroccans estimate is lower. The Polisario has two reasons for inflating this number. It enables it to strengthen its legimacy as a main player in the conflict and also to receive humanitarian aid which is distributed in proportion to the number of refugees.
The Polisario was severely accused of human rights abuses, the detention, killing, and the abusive treatment of Moroccan prisoners of war from the late 70’s to 2006. Other accusations were that some of the Sahraouis are kept in the Tindouf camps against their will and do not enjoy freedom of expression.
In a report published in 2003, amnesty international concluded that “freedom of expression, association and movement continued to be restricted in the camps controlled by the Polisario near Tindouf in south western Algeria”.
A full and comprehensive report of an independent committee of inquiry into allegations of violations of human rights, crimes, abuses and various other irregularities brought against the polisario front, was submitted to the special political and decolonisation committee (fourth committee) of the United Nations on the 4th of October 2006. This 38 page report deals with the following aspects :
the use of torture;
the absence of even the minimum level of judicial process;
the condition of detention;
forced labour and rape;
Malnutrition of prisoners and absence of medical care;
the abdication of Moroccan citizens within the international recognised frontiers of Morocco.
At the present time the Polisario is losing momentum. In fact, all the signs indicate that it will weaken further more in case the status quo remains. The Polisario leadership believes that the referendum is the only way to remain an active player in the conflict with the aim to achieving its goal.
BAKER’S PLAN AND THE FAILURE OF ORGANIZING A REFERENDUM
The first version of Mr James Baker’s plan who was nominated the UN special envoy to the Western Sahara, called Baker I or the framework agreement, was delivered in 2000. It was meant to give the inhabitants of Western Sahara self–determination through a large autonomy within the Moroccan sovereignty. A part from defence and foreign policy, all the capacities would be in the responsibility of a local government. Morocco accepted the plan while Algeria and the Polisario rejected it.
The second version, called Baker II, proposed a new framework agreement giving five years of autonomy to Western Sahara within Moroccan sovereignty, where after the referendum is to be held, provided that the inhabitants of Western Sahara will be allowed to vote.
Algeria and the Polisario accepted the plan especially after Morocco rejected it. The rejection of Baker II plan by Morocco and Baker plan I by Algeria and the Polisario, prompted Mr James Baker to resign. Following the failure of Mr Baker mission it does not appear that the Polisario have much chance of winning the present diplomatic battle particularly that the Kingdom of Morocco has approved the first draft for a large autonomy for the Western Sahara.
The Moroccan government held a series of meetings to discuss the proposal with Moroccan political parties and the representatives of sahraouis before completing the final draft which is expected to be submitted to the United Nations sometime during April.
The current deadlock between the Polisario and Morocco can not be allowed to carry on because with it comes the suffering sahraouis who are in detention in the Tindouf camps in Algeria.
THE COUNTDOWN
On October 31st 2006 the United Nations Security Council voted unanimously for a six month extension of the MINURSO. The 1720 resolution urges both parties, the Polisario and Morocco, engaging decisive discussions during the next six months, also the US delegate asked Morocco to present its announced autonomy plan and to engage in discussions with all sahraouis, including the Polisario. An interesting point here is the call for the inclusion of all sahraoui voices including the Polisario.
For a general point of view a call for negotiations, or any form of discussion is a positive step towards the resolution of conflicts. Therefore it is wise for all parties concerned to consider the substantial autonomy proposal as a basis for any future settlement because it aims to come up with a peaceful solution where there is neither a winner nor a loser, and in respect of dignity of all the parties.
The Moroccan proposal is in line with the relevant international standards, and respects the regional specificities and expectations of the local population. It is an open and constructive response to the expectations of the international community and the repeated calls of the United Nations Security Council. Most of world countries welcomed with interest the autonomy proposal put forward by Morocco, deeming that it would create a new dynamism of dialogue to overcome the current deadlock and to contribute to settling the dispute over Western Sahara.
To conclude international community would like to see “entente” take shape between all parties, it does advocate dialogue because it is the shortest path so that peace and harmony prevail in the North African region.
mercredi 9 mai 2007
the Moroccan substantial autonomy proposal should be the basis of any direct negociations concerning west sahara
- THE MOROCCAN SUBSTANTIAL AUTONOMY
PROPOSAL SHOULD BE THE BASIS OF ANY
DIRECT NEGOCIATIONS CONCERNING
WESTERN SAHARA
BY: MOULAY AHMED MAOUELAININ
IT is notable that the world political landscape knows a number of disputes, and conflicts that are threatening directly, or indirectly peace, and stability around the world. In fact some of these conflicts deserve the international community full attention in order to solve them, having said that others are simply unfounded, but unfortunately continue to exist for some reasons or others, draining out financial resources, as well as putting tremendous pressure on the international community. As to the Western Sahara conflict, it is in my view a result of regional politics in the North African area, during the seventies, and particularly between the two most powerful countries in the region i.e. : Morocco and Algeria. Vital economic and strategic interests where undoubtedly behind the three decade crisis over Western Sahara.
IT is known to everybody that historically speaking Western Sahara was always an integral part of the kingdom of Morocco, until 1884 when the Spanish started invading the area, by 1912 Morocco was colonized by two major European powers: France and Spain. The process of decolonization of Moroccan territories which were occupied by Spain took place through negotiations. In this respect, Morocco regained the north zone in April 1956, Tarfaya and Tan Tan in 1958, Sidi ifni in1969, and the Sahara in 1975.
The Moroccan proposal for a substantial autonomy transfers competences and creates local institutions (legislative and executive) within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty .again autonomy is seen by experts in international law as a very advanced form of self determination. This plan was prepared mainly by the Royal Advisory Council for Sahara Affairs, under a direct supervision of the King Mohamed VI (see http://www.corcas.com) and it has been subject to large consultations with the sahraoui populations and Moroccan political parties.
As to The Polisario, it is definitely not the sole and legitimate representative of the sahraoui, because the overwhelming majority of sahraoui opted to remain Moroccans and they are represented in the CORCAS which was established by the King Mohamed VI. Sahraouis back the process of autonomy under the Moroccan sovereignty. They are proud to belong to the Moroccan nation. Throughout the history not even one sahraoui opted for the separatism, not even the parents and families of the present polisario leadership.
It is obvious that Morocco seeks a final settlement to this dispute, which is in a way a result of the cold war and the inter- Arab differences, this conflict did not help to effectively build the Maghreb Union. The dispute over Western Sahara did not help either the promotion of democracy in the region nor making use of natural resources for the people of the region.
The aim behind the Moroccan proposal is that Sahraouis claims will be satisfied, and Morocco remains sovereign over its southern territories. It is crystal clear that the international community is welcoming Moroccan autonomy project .it is seen as a constructive and just proposal for all parties, this viewpoint was felt by the members of Moroccan delegations all over the world capitals ,and ,indeed in the UN headquarters ,during the discussions led by members of the security council.
Generally speaking the parliament of the Sahara will be formed by members elected by sahraoui tribes, and by members elected by direct universal suffrage by sahraouis .as to the executive authority in the Sahara autonomous region will lie with a head of government, to be elected by the regional parliament. It will have the financial resources required for its development in areas such as: economic sector, region’s local administration, police forces and jurisdictions, infrastructure, the social sector, cultural affairs and environment.
The Moroccan substantial proposal requires an amendment of the Moroccan constitution, in order to incorporate the autonomy statute into it. The kingdom of Morocco will keep its powers in terms of defence, foreign affairs and international relations, and the country’s judicial order. In addition to the constitutional and the religious prerogatives of the King.
The secretary general personal envoy for Sahara Van Walsum stated ( in his press conference at the headquarter of the UN , after presenting his report to the UN chief) that the Moroccan proposal to grant substantial autonomy to the western Sahara “was the result of an extended political process of national and international consultations” whereas the polisario proposal, the UN envoy added “it is consistent with polisario well known positions” .As far as the role of Algeria in the conflict Mr Walsum recognized the pre-eminent role of Algeria, “Algeria has in this whole dossier (Sahara issue) played an absolutely pre-eminent ,dominant role ever since1975” this is the first time that a senior UN official dealing directly with the western Sahara issue that recognized in a diplomatic Worthing to what extent the Algerians are directly involved in the western Sahara dispute ,and even in the decision making on behalf of the separatist movement called polisario while Algiers keeps insisting that “it is not a part in the conflict”.
It was certain that the Security Council would go along with the newly nominated general, secretary of the UN Ban ki-moon’s recommendation, a move that would step up pressure for a political negotiated solution. IN his report to the Security Council Ban Ki-moon reiterated his call to the parties, including Algeria to accept the principle of direct negotiations, without any preconditions in order to reach a settlement to the three decade old Sahara conflict, he also quoted his personal envoy’s analysis saying that “the security council had consistently made it clear that it would not impose a solution to the question of western Sahara, which had led him to the conclusion that there were only two options: either indefinite prolongation of the impasse, or negotiations without preconditions between the parties aimed at achieving a mutually acceptable political solution .
In fact members of the UN security council are explicitly asking Algeria to take part in any form of direct dialogue with Morocco searching for a final settlement to this conflict .it seems to me that the international community is “fed up” with the Algerian double standard policy towards the western Sahara issue…sometimes it presents itself as a concerned party, other times as an important actor, or as a party in the settlement of the dispute. If Algeria is willing ,as it claims ,to help sahraoui refugees in its own territory in Tindouf, then it has to lift the military and security blockade imposed around the camps, it would then find out that Sahraoui refugees will automatically exert the self –determination by walking from the camps and returning to their homeland in Morocco. Algeria should abandon its old dreams, and stop its non- stop allegations which are in so many respects unconvincing at all, in order to pave the way, and help to create a healthy atmosphere towards a settlement to the Western Sahara issue.
On Monday,april30,2007 the UN security council “ calls upon the parties to enter into negotiations without preconditions in good faith, taking into account the developments of the last months, with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution”
Not only the security council called for direct negotiations, but took note of the Moroccan proposal presented by Morocco to the UN general secretary “ welcome credible and serious Moroccan efforts to move the process forward towards resolution” this is in my view an explicit recognition that the Moroccan proposal is the only and unique one to be taken into consideration as a basis for any direct negotiations ,whereas the Polisario proposal did not bring any new elements nor practical alternative to the present deadlock
My view is that Algeria and the polisario would continue to create obstacles to the peace process advocated by the UN Security Council, although the polisario agreed to enter direct negotiations with Morocco, and Algeria welcomed the Security Council resolution
The Moroccan position is unequivocal; the Western Sahara is an integral part of the Kingdom of Morocco, whether Algeria and polisario come to term with the UN Security Council resolution or not.
PROPOSAL SHOULD BE THE BASIS OF ANY
DIRECT NEGOCIATIONS CONCERNING
WESTERN SAHARA
BY: MOULAY AHMED MAOUELAININ
IT is notable that the world political landscape knows a number of disputes, and conflicts that are threatening directly, or indirectly peace, and stability around the world. In fact some of these conflicts deserve the international community full attention in order to solve them, having said that others are simply unfounded, but unfortunately continue to exist for some reasons or others, draining out financial resources, as well as putting tremendous pressure on the international community. As to the Western Sahara conflict, it is in my view a result of regional politics in the North African area, during the seventies, and particularly between the two most powerful countries in the region i.e. : Morocco and Algeria. Vital economic and strategic interests where undoubtedly behind the three decade crisis over Western Sahara.
IT is known to everybody that historically speaking Western Sahara was always an integral part of the kingdom of Morocco, until 1884 when the Spanish started invading the area, by 1912 Morocco was colonized by two major European powers: France and Spain. The process of decolonization of Moroccan territories which were occupied by Spain took place through negotiations. In this respect, Morocco regained the north zone in April 1956, Tarfaya and Tan Tan in 1958, Sidi ifni in1969, and the Sahara in 1975.
The Moroccan proposal for a substantial autonomy transfers competences and creates local institutions (legislative and executive) within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty .again autonomy is seen by experts in international law as a very advanced form of self determination. This plan was prepared mainly by the Royal Advisory Council for Sahara Affairs, under a direct supervision of the King Mohamed VI (see http://www.corcas.com) and it has been subject to large consultations with the sahraoui populations and Moroccan political parties.
As to The Polisario, it is definitely not the sole and legitimate representative of the sahraoui, because the overwhelming majority of sahraoui opted to remain Moroccans and they are represented in the CORCAS which was established by the King Mohamed VI. Sahraouis back the process of autonomy under the Moroccan sovereignty. They are proud to belong to the Moroccan nation. Throughout the history not even one sahraoui opted for the separatism, not even the parents and families of the present polisario leadership.
It is obvious that Morocco seeks a final settlement to this dispute, which is in a way a result of the cold war and the inter- Arab differences, this conflict did not help to effectively build the Maghreb Union. The dispute over Western Sahara did not help either the promotion of democracy in the region nor making use of natural resources for the people of the region.
The aim behind the Moroccan proposal is that Sahraouis claims will be satisfied, and Morocco remains sovereign over its southern territories. It is crystal clear that the international community is welcoming Moroccan autonomy project .it is seen as a constructive and just proposal for all parties, this viewpoint was felt by the members of Moroccan delegations all over the world capitals ,and ,indeed in the UN headquarters ,during the discussions led by members of the security council.
Generally speaking the parliament of the Sahara will be formed by members elected by sahraoui tribes, and by members elected by direct universal suffrage by sahraouis .as to the executive authority in the Sahara autonomous region will lie with a head of government, to be elected by the regional parliament. It will have the financial resources required for its development in areas such as: economic sector, region’s local administration, police forces and jurisdictions, infrastructure, the social sector, cultural affairs and environment.
The Moroccan substantial proposal requires an amendment of the Moroccan constitution, in order to incorporate the autonomy statute into it. The kingdom of Morocco will keep its powers in terms of defence, foreign affairs and international relations, and the country’s judicial order. In addition to the constitutional and the religious prerogatives of the King.
The secretary general personal envoy for Sahara Van Walsum stated ( in his press conference at the headquarter of the UN , after presenting his report to the UN chief) that the Moroccan proposal to grant substantial autonomy to the western Sahara “was the result of an extended political process of national and international consultations” whereas the polisario proposal, the UN envoy added “it is consistent with polisario well known positions” .As far as the role of Algeria in the conflict Mr Walsum recognized the pre-eminent role of Algeria, “Algeria has in this whole dossier (Sahara issue) played an absolutely pre-eminent ,dominant role ever since1975” this is the first time that a senior UN official dealing directly with the western Sahara issue that recognized in a diplomatic Worthing to what extent the Algerians are directly involved in the western Sahara dispute ,and even in the decision making on behalf of the separatist movement called polisario while Algiers keeps insisting that “it is not a part in the conflict”.
It was certain that the Security Council would go along with the newly nominated general, secretary of the UN Ban ki-moon’s recommendation, a move that would step up pressure for a political negotiated solution. IN his report to the Security Council Ban Ki-moon reiterated his call to the parties, including Algeria to accept the principle of direct negotiations, without any preconditions in order to reach a settlement to the three decade old Sahara conflict, he also quoted his personal envoy’s analysis saying that “the security council had consistently made it clear that it would not impose a solution to the question of western Sahara, which had led him to the conclusion that there were only two options: either indefinite prolongation of the impasse, or negotiations without preconditions between the parties aimed at achieving a mutually acceptable political solution .
In fact members of the UN security council are explicitly asking Algeria to take part in any form of direct dialogue with Morocco searching for a final settlement to this conflict .it seems to me that the international community is “fed up” with the Algerian double standard policy towards the western Sahara issue…sometimes it presents itself as a concerned party, other times as an important actor, or as a party in the settlement of the dispute. If Algeria is willing ,as it claims ,to help sahraoui refugees in its own territory in Tindouf, then it has to lift the military and security blockade imposed around the camps, it would then find out that Sahraoui refugees will automatically exert the self –determination by walking from the camps and returning to their homeland in Morocco. Algeria should abandon its old dreams, and stop its non- stop allegations which are in so many respects unconvincing at all, in order to pave the way, and help to create a healthy atmosphere towards a settlement to the Western Sahara issue.
On Monday,april30,2007 the UN security council “ calls upon the parties to enter into negotiations without preconditions in good faith, taking into account the developments of the last months, with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution”
Not only the security council called for direct negotiations, but took note of the Moroccan proposal presented by Morocco to the UN general secretary “ welcome credible and serious Moroccan efforts to move the process forward towards resolution” this is in my view an explicit recognition that the Moroccan proposal is the only and unique one to be taken into consideration as a basis for any direct negotiations ,whereas the Polisario proposal did not bring any new elements nor practical alternative to the present deadlock
My view is that Algeria and the polisario would continue to create obstacles to the peace process advocated by the UN Security Council, although the polisario agreed to enter direct negotiations with Morocco, and Algeria welcomed the Security Council resolution
The Moroccan position is unequivocal; the Western Sahara is an integral part of the Kingdom of Morocco, whether Algeria and polisario come to term with the UN Security Council resolution or not.
corcas :a vital player in the western sahara conflict
CORCAS : A VITAL PLAYER IN THE WESTERN
SAHARA CONFLICT
BY : Moulay Ahmed Maouelainin
The coming weeks would be decisive as to the future of Western Sahara, the Moroccan diplomacy is expected to perform with conviction, professionalism, and close coordination with different “players» in the process of achieving a final settlement.
In this particular context, CORCAS (royal advisory council for Saharan affairs) is in a position to play a vital role in terms of directly dealing with all sahraouis whether they are in the territory or in the refugee camps in Tindouf, inside Algeria or anywhere else around the world.
CORCAS is composed of 140 members, including 14 women, appointed by the King of Morocco, Mohamed VI, who represent an ethnic, political, and tribal cross-section of Moroccan society, including the father of Polisario leader Mohamed abdelaziz.
In his founding speech, which took place in Laayoune on the25th of march 2006, the King said “I have decided to give fresh momentum to this organ, in its new composition, entrust it with a new mandate and endow it with an enhanced status, so that it may together with public authorities, and elected institutions, defend the Moroccan ness of the Sahara, and express the legitimate aspiration of my beloved subjects”
CORCAS primary task is to seek input from all parties affected by the 30 year old political stalemate to reach the most effective path towards autonomy for the Western Sahara within the framework of Morocco’s sovereignty
CORCAS is an institution that contributed substantially in the elaboration of the Moroccan autonomy proposal, deals with the economic, social, and cultural development in the territory. And defend the Maroccanity of the Sahara at the local, national, regional, and international levels. One of the main tasks of the CORCAS is to convince all sahraoui populations to massively adhere to the autonomy project put forward by Morocco to the UN, and hopefully would be the basis of any future direct dialogue between parties concerned.
After less than two years of its creation, CORCAS becomes an important player in the Western Sahara conflict. The international media, NGO’s, elected institutions all over the world are so interested in the council. This interest felt nationally, regionally, and internationally shows the importance of such an institution, and its direct impact within sahraoui populations, and international community, to the point that when CORCAS sneezes the Polisario catch cold
The composition of the CORCAS reflects a tribal equilibrium, local elected members, representatives of civil society, and others. The CORCAS strategic policy in terms of the western Sahara conflict, is basically to avoid any mediatic confrontation with Algiers .IT is always mentioned as “a friendly country” or as “the sister country” in the CORCAS political speech, it sees its role mainly within the framework of sahraouis, and opts to deal directly with sahraouis, where ever they are; and particularly those who have been refugees in the Tindouf camps for the last three decades. The systematic refusal of the leadership of the Polisario to engage in an informal dialogue with the CORCAS is seen by Chairman Khali Hanna Ould Er-Rachid as “conjonctural”, he insists that the Polisario does not represent all sahraouis, and that the majority of sahraouis living under Moroccan sovereignty fully and unconditionally support the autonomy project. In fact, he is determined to spare no efforts with other members of the council to convince Polisario of the utility of autonomy.
In this respect CORCAS chairman called on Algeria in so many occasions to help ease dialogue with sahraouis in its territory ,he even asked the Algerians not to set obstacles to the UN organization ,and to encourage “our brothers living in its territory to engage in dialogue with us so as to come out the impasse»
the secretary general of the royal advisory council for Saharan affairs doctor Maouelainin Ben Khalihanna Maouelainin in an interview with “ TEL QUEL “ weekly magazine on April 15th,2006 said “parents of all polisario officials pledged allegiance to Moroccan King’s, only a cursed son would break this allegiance” he added “ our mission is to hold talks with all the inhabitants of the southern zone, wherever they are, in order to allow them to come back to homeland”
CORCAS is empowered to communicate with the inhabitants of the Sahara, and with the Polisario in Tindouf camps or elsewhere. The emphasis of the strategic policy of the CORCAS relies on the willingness of its members to start of the ground an informal dialogue with the Polisario, among others, those who have expressed openly their rejection to their leader strategy towards the Western Sahara issue. The tribe and family links between sahraouis from both sides is a vital clue to open up channels of communication and dialogue. CORCAS is seriously engaged in making a positive impact on the camp of the “independentists”, many are convinced of the seriousness of the Moroccan Substantial Autonomy Proposal, and others are in the process of considering the project.
Today Polisario is loosing momentum; it does not appear that it has much chance of winning the present diplomatic battle, following the failure of its own proposal, and the content of the security council that calls upon for a direct negotiations with a view to reaching a political and final settlement to the dispute over western Sahara. All the signs indicate that it will weaken, if the status quo remains. The military and political leadership of the Polisario is well aware of the fact the Moroccan Substantial Autonomy proposal is an advanced form of self-determination.
Establishing a form of meaningful informal open dialogue between these two institutions (CORCAS,and POLISARIO) representing sahraouis, could turn to be a golden opportunity to start of the ground an overall formal dialogue between parties concerned, aiming at reaching a final and just political settlement.
SAHARA CONFLICT
BY : Moulay Ahmed Maouelainin
The coming weeks would be decisive as to the future of Western Sahara, the Moroccan diplomacy is expected to perform with conviction, professionalism, and close coordination with different “players» in the process of achieving a final settlement.
In this particular context, CORCAS (royal advisory council for Saharan affairs) is in a position to play a vital role in terms of directly dealing with all sahraouis whether they are in the territory or in the refugee camps in Tindouf, inside Algeria or anywhere else around the world.
CORCAS is composed of 140 members, including 14 women, appointed by the King of Morocco, Mohamed VI, who represent an ethnic, political, and tribal cross-section of Moroccan society, including the father of Polisario leader Mohamed abdelaziz.
In his founding speech, which took place in Laayoune on the25th of march 2006, the King said “I have decided to give fresh momentum to this organ, in its new composition, entrust it with a new mandate and endow it with an enhanced status, so that it may together with public authorities, and elected institutions, defend the Moroccan ness of the Sahara, and express the legitimate aspiration of my beloved subjects”
CORCAS primary task is to seek input from all parties affected by the 30 year old political stalemate to reach the most effective path towards autonomy for the Western Sahara within the framework of Morocco’s sovereignty
CORCAS is an institution that contributed substantially in the elaboration of the Moroccan autonomy proposal, deals with the economic, social, and cultural development in the territory. And defend the Maroccanity of the Sahara at the local, national, regional, and international levels. One of the main tasks of the CORCAS is to convince all sahraoui populations to massively adhere to the autonomy project put forward by Morocco to the UN, and hopefully would be the basis of any future direct dialogue between parties concerned.
After less than two years of its creation, CORCAS becomes an important player in the Western Sahara conflict. The international media, NGO’s, elected institutions all over the world are so interested in the council. This interest felt nationally, regionally, and internationally shows the importance of such an institution, and its direct impact within sahraoui populations, and international community, to the point that when CORCAS sneezes the Polisario catch cold
The composition of the CORCAS reflects a tribal equilibrium, local elected members, representatives of civil society, and others. The CORCAS strategic policy in terms of the western Sahara conflict, is basically to avoid any mediatic confrontation with Algiers .IT is always mentioned as “a friendly country” or as “the sister country” in the CORCAS political speech, it sees its role mainly within the framework of sahraouis, and opts to deal directly with sahraouis, where ever they are; and particularly those who have been refugees in the Tindouf camps for the last three decades. The systematic refusal of the leadership of the Polisario to engage in an informal dialogue with the CORCAS is seen by Chairman Khali Hanna Ould Er-Rachid as “conjonctural”, he insists that the Polisario does not represent all sahraouis, and that the majority of sahraouis living under Moroccan sovereignty fully and unconditionally support the autonomy project. In fact, he is determined to spare no efforts with other members of the council to convince Polisario of the utility of autonomy.
In this respect CORCAS chairman called on Algeria in so many occasions to help ease dialogue with sahraouis in its territory ,he even asked the Algerians not to set obstacles to the UN organization ,and to encourage “our brothers living in its territory to engage in dialogue with us so as to come out the impasse»
the secretary general of the royal advisory council for Saharan affairs doctor Maouelainin Ben Khalihanna Maouelainin in an interview with “ TEL QUEL “ weekly magazine on April 15th,2006 said “parents of all polisario officials pledged allegiance to Moroccan King’s, only a cursed son would break this allegiance” he added “ our mission is to hold talks with all the inhabitants of the southern zone, wherever they are, in order to allow them to come back to homeland”
CORCAS is empowered to communicate with the inhabitants of the Sahara, and with the Polisario in Tindouf camps or elsewhere. The emphasis of the strategic policy of the CORCAS relies on the willingness of its members to start of the ground an informal dialogue with the Polisario, among others, those who have expressed openly their rejection to their leader strategy towards the Western Sahara issue. The tribe and family links between sahraouis from both sides is a vital clue to open up channels of communication and dialogue. CORCAS is seriously engaged in making a positive impact on the camp of the “independentists”, many are convinced of the seriousness of the Moroccan Substantial Autonomy Proposal, and others are in the process of considering the project.
Today Polisario is loosing momentum; it does not appear that it has much chance of winning the present diplomatic battle, following the failure of its own proposal, and the content of the security council that calls upon for a direct negotiations with a view to reaching a political and final settlement to the dispute over western Sahara. All the signs indicate that it will weaken, if the status quo remains. The military and political leadership of the Polisario is well aware of the fact the Moroccan Substantial Autonomy proposal is an advanced form of self-determination.
Establishing a form of meaningful informal open dialogue between these two institutions (CORCAS,and POLISARIO) representing sahraouis, could turn to be a golden opportunity to start of the ground an overall formal dialogue between parties concerned, aiming at reaching a final and just political settlement.
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