Forty countries reaffirmed their strong support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern regions, calling for a comprehensive political solution during the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which is taking place from June 16 to July 9 at the Palace of Nations in Geneva.
The support group for Morocco’s territorial integrity, in a statement made by Omar Zniber, Morocco’s permanent representative to the UN office in Geneva, highlighted Morocco’s “constructive, voluntary, and profound” interaction with the UN human rights system.
Ambassador Zniber stated in the statement regarding item two on the agenda of the session and related to interaction with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, that Morocco has engaged in positive interaction with the human rights system for years, particularly with the Office of the High Commissioner, to enhance respect for human rights throughout the kingdom.
He pointed out that the Security Council welcomed in its decisions regarding the Sahara conflict the role played by the regional commissions of the National Human Rights Council in Dakhla and Laayoune, and praised Morocco’s positive interaction with the special procedures of the Human Rights Council.
The group welcomed in its statement the opening of several consulates by various countries in Dakhla and Laayoune, considering this a “lever to enhance economic cooperation and investments for the benefit of local populations and in support of regional and continental development.”
The statement emphasized that the Sahara issue remains a political conflict addressed by the Security Council, which recognizes the priority of Morocco’s autonomy initiative, deeming it serious and credible for reaching a final political solution to the conflict.
The forty countries reiterated their support for efforts to relaunch the political process led by the UN based on the format agreed upon during the round tables in Geneva, in accordance with Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2756 issued on October 31, 2024, which aims at achieving a political, realistic, and lasting solution to the regional conflict.
Ambassador Zniber concluded by stating, “Resolving this regional conflict will undoubtedly contribute to fulfilling the legitimate aspirations of the African and Arab peoples for integration and development, which is the goal that Morocco continues to pursue through sincere and continuous efforts.”
