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Thursday 17 June 2021

Sahara: Gabon Expresses 'Full support' for Autonomy Initiative as Solution of Compromise

Sahara: Gabon Expresses 'Full support' for Autonomy Initiative as Solution of Compromise

Gabon expressed, before the UN C-24, "its full support" for the autonomy initiative presented by Morocco as a solution of compromise to the issue of the Moroccan Sahara.

It stressed that this approach is pursuant to the international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and the successive resolutions adopted on the matter by the Security Council and the General Assembly since 2007.

"We reiterate our unwavering support for the political process conducted under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General to achieve a realistic, pragmatic and lasting solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, under the relevant resolutions of the Security Council," Ambassador Franklin Joachim Makanga, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Gabon to the UN, said.

Gabon also welcomes the round-table process, with the participation of Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the "polisario", in line with the Security Council resolution 2548 of October 2020, added the Gabonese diplomat, while calling on the next Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General to continue the discussions initiated by his predecessor, Horst Kohler.

Makanga emphasized the need for a political solution to this dispute and a stronger and more dynamic cooperation among the member states of the Arab Maghreb Union. Such an approach would contribute to the stability and security in the entire Sahel region, he said.

"Similarly, the new socio-economic development model of the Moroccan Sahara promoted by Morocco since 2015, has our full support," said the Gabonese diplomat, noting that, based on this significant progress, Gabon and other countries have opened Consulates General in the Moroccan Sahara.

Makanga also mentioned the significant progress made by Morocco in the field of human rights, as stated by the Security Council in resolution 2548.

"It is equally important to highlight Morocco's strict compliance with the ceasefire in the Sahara, as well as its peace initiative of November 13, 2020, to ensure free movement in the Guergarate crossing," he added, expressing Gabon's concern about the violations of fundamental rights suffered by the population of the Tindouf camps.

In this regard, Makanga said that his country considers it appropriate to proceed with the registration of the population of the Tindouf camp, under international humanitarian law, the recommendations of the UN Secretary-General, and the relevant Security Council resolutions.

MAP 17 June 2021