Mohamed Loulich, President of the House of Councillors, opened the national conference organized under the theme “The Moroccan Parliament and the Sahara Issue: Towards Effective Parallel Diplomacy and Institutional Advocacy.” He affirmed that the initiative comes at a critical and pivotal moment in the evolution of the national cause and reflects the parliamentary institution’s awareness of its responsibility to defend the territorial integrity of the Kingdom.
Loulich explained that the conference is not merely about exchanging views and ideas; it represents a practical step showcasing the council’s serious engagement in following up on the significant developments concerning the Moroccan Sahara, both in terms of successive diplomatic gains and the rising international recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara, and through the accelerated developmental projects in the southern provinces, as well as due to Morocco’s growing regional and international stature under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.
He also indicated that this initiative aligns with the positive response to the Royal address during the opening of the last legislative session, in which the Moroccan monarch emphasized the importance of parliamentary diplomacy and its role in expanding the recognition and support for the autonomy initiative as the sole solution to the fabricated conflict.
In order to implement these directives, the council activated a temporary thematic working group tasked with the national issue, marking the first practical application of this provision since its inclusion in the internal regulations of the council. The aim of this step is to provide valuable consultation and to create an institutional framework that enhances the council’s presence within the national and international advocacy system for Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara.
Loulich confirmed that organizing this national conference is a direct outcome of this new direction, reflecting the council’s commitment to involving various political, union, academic, and civil society actors in a collective vision aimed at broadening participation and enhancing public engagement in serving the national cause.
He added that the House of Councillors seeks to establish itself as a central player in parliamentary diplomacy and to strengthen internal cohesion to address the challenges related to the conflict, considering that effective institutional advocacy requires collective mobilization and a unified vision that reflects the maturity of the legislative institution and its ability to serve Morocco’s supreme interests.
