- THE MOROCCAN SUBSTANTIAL AUTONOMY PROPOSAL SHOULD BE THE BASIS OF ANY DIRECT NEGOCIATIONS CONCERNING WESTERN SAHARA
BY: MOULAY AHMED MAOUELAININ *
IT is notable that the world political landscape knows a number of disputes, and conflicts that are threatening directly, or indirectly peace, and stability around the world. In fact some of these conflicts deserve the international community full attention in order to solve them, having said that others are simply unfounded, but unfortunately continue to exist for some reasons or others, draining out financial resources, as well as putting tremendous pressure on the international community. As to the Western Sahara conflict, it is in my view a result of regional politics in the North African area, during the seventies, and particularly between the two most powerful countries in the region i.e. : Morocco and Algeria. Vital economic and strategic interests where undoubtedly behind the three decade crisis over Western Sahara.
IT is known to everybody that historically speaking Western Sahara was always an integral part of the kingdom of Morocco, until 1884 when the Spanish started invading the area, by 1912 Morocco was colonized by two major European powers: France and Spain. The process of decolonization of Moroccan territories which were occupied by Spain took place through negotiations. In this respect, Morocco regained the north zone in April 1956, Tarfaya and Tan Tan in 1958, Sidi ifni in1969, and the Sahara in 1975.
The Moroccan proposal for a substantial autonomy transfers competences and creates local institutions (legislative and executive) within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty .again autonomy is seen by experts in international law as a very advanced form of self determination. This plan was prepared mainly by the Royal Advisory Council for Sahara Affairs, under a direct supervision of the King Mohamed VI (see http://www.corcas.com) and it has been subject to large consultations with the sahraoui populations and Moroccan political parties.
As to The Polisario, it is definitely not the sole and legitimate representative of the sahraoui, because the overwhelming majority of sahraoui opted to remain Moroccans and they are represented in the CORCAS which was established by the King Mohamed VI. Sahraouis back the process of autonomy under the Moroccan sovereignty. They are proud to belong to the Moroccan nation. Throughout the history not even one sahraoui opted for the separatism, not even the parents and families of the present polisario leadership. It is obvious that Morocco seeks a final settlement to this dispute, which is in a way a result of the cold war and the inter- Arab differences, this conflict did not help to effectively build the Maghreb Union. The dispute over Western Sahara did not help either the promotion of democracy in the region nor making use of natural resources for the people of the region. The aim behind the Moroccan proposal is that Sahraouis claims will be satisfied, and Morocco remains sovereign over its southern territories. It is crystal clear that the international community is welcoming Moroccan autonomy project .it is seen as a constructive and just proposal for all parties, this viewpoint was felt by the members of Moroccan delegations all over the world capitals ,and ,indeed in the UN headquarters ,during the discussions led by members of the security council.
Generally speaking the parliament of the Sahara will be formed by members elected by sahraoui tribes, and by members elected by direct universal suffrage by sahraouis .as to the executive authority in the Sahara autonomous region will lie with a head of government, to be elected by the regional parliament. It will have the financial resources required for its development in areas such as: economic sector, region’s local administration, police forces and jurisdictions, infrastructure, the social sector, cultural affairs and environment. The Moroccan substantial proposal requires an amendment of the Moroccan constitution, in order to incorporate the autonomy statute into it. The kingdom of Morocco will keep its powers in terms of defence, foreign affairs and international relations, and the country’s judicial order. In addition to the constitutional and the religious prerogatives of the King.
The secretary general personal envoy for Sahara Van Walsum stated ( in his press conference at the headquarter of the UN , after presenting his report to the UN chief) that the Moroccan proposal to grant substantial autonomy to the western Sahara “was the result of an extended political process of national and international consultations” whereas the polisario proposal, the UN envoy added “it is consistent with polisario well known positions” .As far as the role of Algeria in the conflict Mr Walsum recognized the pre-eminent role of Algeria, “Algeria has in this whole dossier (Sahara issue) played an absolutely pre-eminent ,dominant role ever since1975” this is the first time that a senior UN official dealing directly with the western Sahara issue that recognized in a diplomatic Worthing to what extent the Algerians are directly involved in the western Sahara dispute ,and even in the decision making on behalf of the separatist movement called polisario while Algiers keeps insisting that “it is not a part in the conflict”.
It was certain that the Security Council would go along with the newly nominated general, secretary of the UN Ban ki-moon’s recommendation, a move that would step up pressure for a political negotiated solution. IN his report to the Security Council Ban Ki-moon reiterated his call to the parties, including Algeria to accept the principle of direct negotiations, without any preconditions in order to reach a settlement to the three decade old Sahara conflict, he also quoted his personal envoy’s analysis saying that “the security council had consistently made it clear that it would not impose a solution to the question of western Sahara, which had led him to the conclusion that there were only two options: either indefinite prolongation of the impasse, or negotiations without preconditions between the parties aimed at achieving a mutually acceptable political solution . In fact members of the UN security council are explicitly asking Algeria to take part in any form of direct dialogue with Morocco searching for a final settlement to this conflict .it seems to me that the international community is “fed up” with the Algerian double standard policy towards the western Sahara issue…sometimes it presents itself as a concerned party, other times as an important actor, or as a party in the settlement of the dispute. If Algeria is willing ,as it claims ,to help sahraoui refugees in its own territory in Tindouf, then it has to lift the military and security blockade imposed around the camps, it would then find out that Sahraoui refugees will automatically exert the self –determination by walking from the camps and returning to their homeland in Morocco. Algeria should abandon its old dreams, and stop its non- stop allegations which are in so many respects unconvincing at all, in order to pave the way, and help to create a healthy atmosphere towards a settlement to the Western Sahara issue.
On Monday,april30,2007 the UN security council “ calls upon the parties to enter into negotiations without preconditions in good faith, taking into account the developments of the last months, with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution”Not only the security council called for direct negotiations, but took note of the Moroccan proposal presented by Morocco to the UN general secretary “ welcome credible and serious Moroccan efforts to move the process forward towards resolution” this is in my view an explicit recognition that the Moroccan proposal is the only and unique one to be taken into consideration as a basis for any direct negotiations ,whereas the Polisario proposal did not bring any new elements nor practical alternative to the present deadlock
My view is that Algeria and the polisario would continue to create obstacles to the peace process advocated by the UN Security Council, although the polisario agreed to enter direct negotiations with Morocco, and Algeria welcomed the Security Council resolution
The Moroccan position is unequivocal; the Western Sahara is an integral part of the Kingdom of Morocco, whether Algeria and polisario come to term with the UN Security Council resolution or not.
