Gulf Countries’ Consistent Stance on the Moroccan Sahara

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The Gulf countries reiterated their consistent position on the Moroccan Sahara and their full support for Morocco’s territorial integrity during the meeting of the Fourth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

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The United Arab Emirates renewed its full support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara and its complete endorsement of the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty as the only solution to the artificial conflict.

Abdullah Al-Zarouni, the UAE representative, affirmed his country’s unwavering position before the United Nations, saying: “We stand by Morocco in its just causes at regional and international forums, ensuring its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

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He stated that Abu Dhabi supports all measures taken by Morocco to defend its legitimate rights, including the autonomy initiative, stressing that the Moroccan proposal is in line with international law and the UN Charter, and is recognized by the Security Council as a serious and credible solution.

The Emirati diplomat praised Morocco’s efforts to enhance development in the southern regions through the development model launched in 2015, affirming that it has played a positive role in improving the living standards of the inhabitants of the Moroccan Sahara.

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Al-Zarouni also emphasized the importance of continuing the political process under the auspices of the United Nations and the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy, Staffan de Mistura, to reach a final solution to this decades-long regional conflict.

International reports and expert testimonials agree that the cities of the Moroccan Sahara are experiencing developmental growth, which is expected to increase with new projects. Several foreign companies have expressed their interest in investing in this region, rich in potential, particularly in the field of renewable energy.

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Moroccan King Mohammed VI closely monitors the strategy aimed at developing the Moroccan Sahara and modernizing its infrastructure, as part of a forward-looking vision aimed at giving the region international prominence.

In recent years, dozens of countries have opened consulates and diplomatic offices in the Moroccan Sahara, clearly demonstrating the growing recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the territory.

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In this context, Bahrain reiterated its firm and supportive stance before the members of the Fourth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, backing Morocco’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Bahrain’s representative emphasized that “Manama reaffirms its constant and supportive stance with the Kingdom of Morocco in maintaining its security and territorial integrity.”

She added that “her country renews its support for Morocco’s notable efforts to find a political solution to the issue based on the Moroccan autonomy initiative, within the framework of national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

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Similarly, Saudi Arabia also reaffirmed its support for the autonomy initiative proposed by Morocco to resolve the conflict over the Moroccan Sahara definitively, within the framework of Morocco’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Riyadh affirmed that “the Kingdom rejects any infringement on Morocco’s higher interests or any attack on its sovereignty or territorial integrity,” expressing its “support for Morocco’s efforts to reach a realistic political solution to the issue of the Moroccan Sahara, based on a spirit of consensus and relevant Security Council resolutions, under the supervision of the UN Secretary-General.”

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This is not the first time Gulf countries have expressed their support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara. All Gulf summits, in their final statements or in the speeches of their leaders, have supported Morocco’s territorial integrity and emphasized strategic relations with the Kingdom.

Last March, the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait, reaffirmed “its commitment to supporting Morocco’s security and stability, backing the Moroccan Sahara, and endorsing the autonomy initiative within the framework of Morocco’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

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In the same context, Moulay Brahim Cherif, President of the Municipal Council of Smara city, called on the Polisario to reconsider its positions for the benefit of itself and the inhabitants of the Tindouf camps, declaring that “the crocodile tears shed by representatives of the separatist front before international institutions have now been exposed and deceive no one,” according to the “Zanqa 20” website.

Speaking before the Fourth Committee of the UN General Assembly in New York, as the legitimate elected representative of the people of the region, he emphasized that “the Moroccan authorities extend their hand for peace and propose initiatives that can facilitate rapprochement and turn the page on the past, despite its painful aspects, and open a new chapter between families, relatives, and neighbors.”

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He added that “Morocco has presented a project granting the Saharan provinces expanded autonomy, giving the people of the region significant powers to manage their affairs within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty. This proposal will constitute a solution to this problem and spare the region from tensions and instability.”