Moroccan King Mohammed VI has announced that Western Sahara, which passed to Moroccan sovereignty in 1975, would be the priority of the country’s renationalisation process via an integrated plan which is expected to usher in a new chapter.
The plan seeks to build the capacity of the territory (about 250,000 sq km) to run its local management, King Mohammed VI stressed in an address on the 34th anniversary of the recovery of the territory after a march of 350,000 Moroccans which had coerced the Spanish colonizer to negotiate his withdrawal.
The same plan will ensure that the government makes these provinces a model of decongestion and good local governance, by putting on their disposal the best executives and imparting them broad competences.
Even the Royal advisory council for Saharan affairs (CORCAS) which represents the notables of Sahara, will be streamlined consistent with the expected dynamism.
The Moroccan King also urged to work so that the political, union, and association and media bodies as well as all the productive and creative strata assume their respective responsibilities in terms of citizen monitoring and deep establishment in the values of patriotism and effective citizenship”.
Morocco regards its autonomy plan as the “unique conceivable solution” to the Sahara issue which became under its effective sovereignty since late 1975 as soon as the Spanish colonizers withdrew.
Meanwhile, the Polisario Front based in south-western Algeria for 34 years reject the plan and claim a self-determination referendum which both Morocco and powerful world capitals term “inapplicable”.
In May, Rabat commended the UN Security Council’s unanimous adoption of Resolution 1871 on the Sahara issue.
“The UN Security Council confirmed the centrality of the negotiation process and refused to yield to the political blackmail, the brazen harassment and exploitation as well as to the options for roundabout means to negotiation”.
According to Rabat, Western Sahara is a part of Morocco which was colonized by Spain until 1975 before it once again became a property of the motherland as well as other Moroccan regions like the northern cities of Ceuta and Mellila that are under Spanish sovereignty since 1497.
Consistent with the autonomy plan, the Sahara people will “rule their region in their own initiative and democratically through legislative, executive and judicial systems entitled with exclusive powers. They will have enough financial resources necessary for the development of the region in all sectors”.
On its part, Morocco will “retain its sovereignty competences particularly in the areas of defense, foreign relations, and constitutional and religious domains”.
In the eyes of Rabat, “this initiative goes with the establishment of a democratic and modern society based on the rule of law, individual and collective freedoms, as well as on the economic and social development. Thereby, it brings the promise of a rosy future for people living in the region, put an end to separation and exile, and foster reconciliation”.
Source African Press Agency
