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Friday 11 April 2014

Sahara: UN Secretary General Calls For Compromise Solution And Hails Morocco's Efforts

Vocal synthesis
Sahara: UN Secretary General Calls For Compromise Solution And Hails Morocco's Efforts

   UN Secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, called on Thursday for a compromise solution to the Sahara issue and welcomed Morocco's efforts in the Sahara while noting "increasing frustration" among populations particularly the youth, in the Tindouf camps, in Algeria.

   In a report submitted to the security council, recommending the extension of the UN mission in the Sahara (MINURSO) until April 30, 2015, Ban Ki-Moon welcomes "Morocco’s cooperation with the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council.

    "I note with satisfaction the steps which Morocco has taken, such as  those related to CNDH (National human rights Council) and the military tribunals."

    The UN chief recalls that his personal envoy, Christopher Ross, has urged parties to show flexibility, creativity and imagination to move forward to a compromise solution, highlighting Morocco's efforts in consolidating human rights and welcoming the Kingdom's headways, particularly as regards the CNDH and its branches in Laayoune and Dakhla as well as reforming military justice.

     He also praised "Morocco's cooperation with the special procedures of the UN human rights council", stressing that Moroccan authorities have continued to cooperate with the special procedures of the Human rights council and give them access".

     Ban Ki-Moon cites, in this context, the visit to Morocco by the UN special rapporteur on human trafficking who expressed "satisfaction over the frank and open discussions he held with the Moroccan authorities and civil society".

    The UN Special rapporteur also noted the Moroccan authorities' will to institutionalize good practices.

    The report further recalls the visit to Morocco of the work group on arbitrary detention which received "full cooperation" from the Moroccan authorities, stressing that Morocco expressed readiness to receive in 2014 other representatives of the UN special procedures.

    The new Southern provinces development scheme, presented in October 2013, by the Moroccan economic, social and environmental council, was also cited in the report which notes that this plan is part of the advanced regionalization advocated by HM King Mohammed VI.

  The new scheme, goes on the report, focuses on sustainable development, participative democracy and social cohesion, good governance, including the respect of human rights.

     The report remarks that significant investments have been made by Morocco in infrastructure, social and cultural projects, insisting that the daily life in the Moroccan Sahara unfolds "in a peaceful way".

   Increasing number of foreign parliamentary delegations, diplomatic and governmental missions, non-governmental organization and journalists have visited the Sahara, the report says noting that "Moroccan authorities are increasingly open and engaged in this visits".

    Ban Ki-Moon also reports "an increasing frustration" among the population in the Tindouf camps, particularly among the youth, stressing that the security concern is a challenge to the UN mission operations.

     "Important criminal and terrorist activities in the region" were reported, he went on, warning that "extremist groups are actively hiring to reinforce their presence in the neighboring regions and to get arms supplies".

MAP 11 April 2014