Lahcen Haddad, the head of the thematic group on the national cause, confirmed that Moroccan diplomacy has proven, through clear discourse, steadfastness, and the credibility of the Moroccan initiative, to be a fundamental driver in solidifying gains, building bridges of trust, and establishing international legitimacy for Morocco’s sovereign and developmental vision in its southern regions.
In an inaugural address at the national seminar organized by the thematic group on the subject of “Moroccan Parliament and the Sahara Issue” yesterday at the House of Councillors, Haddad praised Moroccan official diplomacy, “which operates wisely and judiciously under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God support him, and has successfully transformed the Moroccan Sahara issue from a regional conflict into a file that enjoys broad understanding and increasing support from strategic partners across different continents.”
In this context, Haddad highlighted the prominent role of elected officials in the southern regions, “who represent with honor and national pride the residents of the Moroccan Sahara, both at the local and national levels and in various international forums.” He emphasized that their active presence, persuasive advocacy, and commitment to national unity “confirm that the Sahara is not just Moroccan land; it is also a Moroccan will, Moroccan institutions, and Moroccan citizens managing their affairs with responsibility and competence.”
He continued that these elected officials embody, through their continuous participation in electoral and representative processes, the democratic legitimacy that supports historical and political legitimacy, enhancing the credibility of the Moroccan position in every assembly.
The head of the thematic group noted that this international dynamism would not have been achieved without the farsighted vision of His Majesty the King, who has made the Sahara issue “a lens through which the authenticity of partnerships and the strength of positions are measured,” pointing out that thanks to royal directives, Moroccan diplomacy is no longer merely reactive but has become proactive, initiative-led, and clear.
In this vein, Haddad mentioned that this seminar coincides with the launch of the royal strategic initiative to provide coastal countries with access to the Atlantic Ocean, which carries security, developmental, and geopolitical dimensions, making Morocco’s southern regions a gateway for African integration and a bridge between the two shores of the Atlantic. He confirmed that this initiative not only reinforces Morocco’s African identity but also enhances the status of the Moroccan Sahara as a geostrategic hub and a center for investment and South-South partnerships.
He stressed the pivotal role played by Moroccan universities, research centers, and intellectual and academic elites, both at home and in the diaspora, in crafting an accurate intellectual and scientific narrative based on international law, human rights frameworks, and contexts of decolonization.
Haddad asserted that there is a pressing need today, more than ever, for rigorous research published in multiple languages to address various global academic, media, and rights circles, aiming to bring the justice of the national cause from national forums to international influence arenas.
He concluded that the Sahara issue is not merely a diplomatic or political battle but also a battle of thought, knowledge, and a well-structured legal and historical framework, wherein the university, researcher, and thinker have a voice as significant as that of the diplomat and politician.
The agenda of this national seminar includes, in addition to an opening session featuring contributions from political parties, two thematic sessions. The first will focus on discussing the Moroccan Sahara issue through the management of the United Nations, related developments, and prospects for a final resolution of the file, while the second thematic session will address the developmental and rights-based approaches related to this issue.
It is worth noting that the seminar’s proceedings will culminate in the issuance of a summary report containing the conclusions and recommendations emerging from discussions and deliberations involving political actors, academics, civil society, and experts recognized for their competence and close follow-up on the country’s territorial integrity issue.
