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Autonomy and Renewed Approaches to Self-Determination: Morocco’s Perspective in Light of International Legitimacy
Names Al-Amrani/
In an interview with the Spanish news agency EFE during his visit to Madrid, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita emphasized that the ongoing debate regarding the concept of self-determination in the Sahara issue necessitates a calm and objective rereading in light of international legitimacy. Bourita stated that no United Nations text links self-determination to a referendum, asserting that such a connection has never been a legal norm but rather a political perception adopted by some parties despite its deviation from reality and law.
The minister clarified that self-determination is a manifestation of free will and can take various forms. He pointed out that the United Nations itself has long moved past the option of a referendum once it became clear that its implementation was impractical. He noted that since the beginning of the new millennium, the UN has focused on seeking a realistic and mutually agreed political solution, which is why Morocco’s autonomy initiative presented in 2007 has received considerable appreciation within the Security Council as a serious, credible, and applicable proposal.
According to Bourita, the Moroccan initiative not only offers a political vision but also reflects a modern perspective on managing diversity within the state, ensuring that the inhabitants of the southern regions exercise extensive powers within the framework of national sovereignty. He emphasized that this model represents the most contemporary application of the principle of self-determination at a time when the world is shifting towards consensus solutions that maintain the unity and stability of nations.
The minister added that international positions have undergone a clear transformation in recent years, with several major countries explicitly supporting the Moroccan initiative as the realistic basis for a solution, including the United States, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands, alongside various Arab and African nations. He considered this international trend to reflect a growing conviction that the option of secession is no longer viable and that the referendum has become part of past discussions that have been surpassed by UN practices.
Bourita affirmed that Morocco’s vision is based on clarity and responsibility, claiming that the only feasible solution is broad autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, as it guarantees the rights of the population, meets international law standards, and enhances stability in the region. In the minister’s view, the Moroccan approach is not merely a political stance but a comprehensive project that opens avenues for development and is founded on the logic of building the future rather than reclaiming past conflicts.
