By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

The following article was contributed by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Seoul to the Diplomacy Journal for publication. –Ed.

Over many decades, Morocco has deployed relentless efforts, within the United Nations Organization and the international community, for the defense of its territorial integrity, aiming to recover its Southern Provinces. 

In 2007, Morocco proposed an initiative of broad autonomy plan for the Sahara region under Moroccan sovereignty, in full respect of the United Nations Resolutions, seeking to create the conditions for a process of dialogue and negotiation leading to a realistic and acceptable political solution.

Since then, Morocco has succeeded to achieve significant breakthroughs, raising international awareness and advocating for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty. This challenging path was marked by a proactive diplomacy, a part of the momentum spurred by His Majesty Mohammed VI King of Morocco and strongly supported by numerous countries worldwide, advocating for Morocco's territorial integrity and the autonomy plan as the exclusive framework for resolving this issue.

Hence, as a turning point and a milestone, the Moroccan Sahara issue has witnessed recently an unprecedented development. Underscoring this progress, in a letter sent to His Majesty on the occasion of the 25th Throne Day (July 30th 2024), the French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, has formally acknowledged France’s support of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces. Remarkably, this invaluable support is coming from a permanent member of the UN Security Council which makes it more meaningful. 

According to a Statement released by the Royal Office on July 30th 2024, Mr. Macron conveyed to the King that he “considers the present and future of Western Sahara lie within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty”, reaffirming “the unwavering position of France on this issue of national security for the Kingdom” and asserting that France “intends to act in alignment with this position both nationally and internationally”.

The French President also stresses that “for France, autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the framework within which this issue shall be resolved”, confirming that France’s “support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007 is clear and constant”, adding that this plan “constitutes now the only basis to achieve a just, lasting, and negotiated political solution, in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions”. 

This announcement, being an important development and significant step in supporting Moroccan sovereignty over its Sahara, would surely and largely contribute, beside other positions of support expressed by the international community, to the reinforcement of this outstanding dynamic concerning the Moroccan Sahara issue, paving the way to stability and security in the region and prosperity, attracting more investments and economic development. 

For the record, since the autonomy initiative was tabled as a solution to the Moroccan Sahara issue, the Security Council’s resolutions have opted for “welcoming the serious and credible Moroccan efforts to move the process toward resolution”, resulting in the opening of 30 consulates in the southern cities of Laayoune and Dakhla and the recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara by the United States, gaining the support for the autonomy plan by many European countries, including Spain and Germany, and more recently France and Finland.

Significantly, the King’s strategic leadership and management of the Moroccan Sahara issue has reshaped the Moroccan diplomatic approach, focusing on the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty as the only basis to achieve a just, lasting, and negotiated political solution to the Moroccan Sahara issue.

The proposed plan grants the autonomous region authority over local administration and law enforcement, including the establishment of regional police forces and local administrative offices responsible for managing public services, maintaining order, and ensuring the implementation of regional laws.

The autonomy plan emphasizes economic self-sufficiency, and provides for significant financial resources to be allocated to the region, derived from local taxes, natural resources, and national solidarity funds. The plan also supports regional economic development through investments in trade, industry, tourism, and agriculture.

 
While the plan grants significant autonomy, it preserves Moroccan sovereignty over national aspects. Morocco will retain control over the national flag, anthem, currency, and key elements of national sovereignty. The Moroccan government will continue to be in charge of foreign affairs and national defense.