Moroccan Sahara: parties back Royal Cabinet communiqué

Morocco’s main political parties have voiced support for the Royal Cabinet’s communiqué on developments in the Moroccan Sahara issue. In separate statements, they described the moment as a historic turning point for the national cause.

Each party reaffirmed its backing for the diplomatic process and for development in the Kingdom’s southern provinces under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Several of them also marked Unity Day.

PAM and PJD back the communiqué

The Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) said the communiqué showed the great wisdom with which His Majesty the King handles a file it called crucial for the Moroccan nation, King and people.

The party congratulated the Sovereign and the Moroccan people on Unity Day. It said the occasion carries national symbolism and signals a different approach to managing the dispute.

The Party of Justice and Development (PJD) expressed full support for the content of the communiqué. It pledged its complete commitment behind His Majesty the King in defending the national and territorial sovereignty and unity of the Kingdom of Morocco.

Istiqlal sees an end to the status quo

The Istiqlal Party said the end of the UN political process and the break with the status quo would be a real opportunity. This opening, in its view, would allow the Kingdom to keep widening the diplomatic momentum led by His Majesty the King.

According to the party, the autonomy initiative under Moroccan sovereignty enjoys substantial support from two-thirds of UN member states. That support, it added, includes permanent members of the Security Council and influential regional and international powers.

Calls to end MINURSO’s mission

The Popular Movement (MP) went further, calling for the Moroccan Sahara file to be withdrawn from the United Nations and for MINURSO’s mission to end.

The party argued that the mission had failed to adapt to the new situation. It also said MINURSO was unable to keep pace with the strategic shift in handling what it called an artificial dispute, given broad international support for the Moroccan initiative.

The Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) said autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty remains the only political solution to the issue. The deadlock at the Security Council, it added, reflects the failure of the UN approach to end the dispute.

PPS cites support from 11 members

The Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) said that support from 11 members for the draft UN resolution amounted to clear backing for the legitimacy of the national cause. The outcome, the party added, established autonomy within Moroccan sovereignty as the sole basis and only reference for negotiations.

The PPS urged the other parties to engage sensibly with the new process, aimed at a final and realistic political solution, without delays, prevarication or obstruction.

The Constitutional Union (UC) expressed pride in what it called the historic gains the Kingdom has made on the file. It praised the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and his diplomatic efforts, which it said have strengthened international support for the autonomy initiative under Moroccan sovereignty.