News
Tuesday 12 June 2018

Historical Participation of Moroccan Sahara Elected Officials in Event Held at UN Headquarters

Vocal synthesis
Historical Participation of Moroccan Sahara Elected Officials in Event Held at UN Headquarters


Two elected officials of the southern provinces took part Monday for the first time in the annals of the Committee of 24 under the UN General Assembly, in their capacity as elected representatives of the Moroccan Sahara region.

This participation, approved by all the members of the Committee, by consensus, constitutes a recognition by the United Nations of the democratic nature of the regional elections of 4 September 2015 as well as the legitimacy of the elected representatives of the southern provinces to represent the population of this region.

Thus, Mhamed Abba and Ghalla Bahiya, vice-presidents of Laayoune Sakia El Hamra and Dakhla Oued Eddahab regions, respectively, spoke, in their capacity as elected representatives, to highlight before the members of the C-24 the transparent and inclusive nature of their election, the prerogatives of the Regional Councils in the service of the populations of the Sahara, the efforts made by Morocco for the socio-economic development of the southern provinces since their return to Motherland in 1975 and their capacity as authentic representatives of the population of the Moroccan Sahara.

The resounding participation of the two elected officials in the Committee of 24 is another disappointment for Algeria, thus undermining an alleged representativeness of the "polisario".

This participation also confirms the position defended by Morocco both at the level of the United Nations and within its regional partners, in particular the European Union, regarding the legitimacy of the elected representatives of the Sahara.

The European Union's decision to hold consultations with the elected officials of the southern provinces, as part of the renewal of the Association Agreements with Morocco, confirms their capacity as democratic and legitimate representatives of the population of the Moroccan Sahara.

Several members of the Committee commended, in their statements, the participation of Abba and Bahiya, which constitutes a new affirmation of their legitimacy, enshrines the democratic process in Morocco, particularly in the Sahara, confirms the Kingdom's substantial and sustained efforts for the development of the Sahara and enables the Committee to obtain first-hand information from those responsible for managing local affairs.

This is a sharp rebuttal of the false, biased and misleading information peddled by Algeria and the "polisario".

12 June 2018