THE MOROCCAN SUBSTANTIAL AUTONOMY PROPOSAL AIMS AT PROMOTING PEACE SECURITY 1 A

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1 THE MOROCCAN SUBSTANTIAL AUTONOMY PROPOSAL AIMS AT PROMOTING PEACE SECURITY AND STABILITY Source: 04/msg00031.html From: tariq Date: 26 Apr :36: THE MOROCCAN SUBSTANTIAL AUTONOMY PROPOSAL AIMS AT PROMOTING PEACE SECURITY AND STABILITY BY: TAOUFIQ GAZOULIT, MA posted Tuesday, 24 April JOURNALIST /RESEARCHER 2007 IT is notable that the world political landscape knows a number of disputes, and conflicts that are threatening directly, or indirectly peace, and stability around the world. In fact some of these conflicts deserve the international community full attention in order to solve them, having said that others are simply unfounded, but unfortunately continue to exist for some reasons or others, draining out financial resources, as well as putting tremendous pressure on the international community. As to the Western Sahara conflict, it is in my view a result of regional politics in the North African area, during the seventies, and particularly between the two most powerful countries in the region i.e. : Morocco and Algeria. Vital economic and strategic interests where undoubtedly behind the three decade crisis over Western Sahara. IT is known to everybody that historically speaking Western Sahara was always an integral part of the kingdom of Morocco, until 1884 when the Spanish started invading the area, by 1912 Morocco was colonized by two major European powers: France and Spain The process of decolonization of Moroccan territories which were occupied by Spain took place through negotiations. In this respect, Morocco regained the north zone in April 1956, Tarfaya and Tan Tan in 1958, Sidi ifni in1969, and the Sahara in 1975.Therefore the UN does not consider the Sahara issue as a colonization affair, but as a political conflict, particularly that the international court of justice decided that Western Sahara was not a TERRA NULLIUS. Its THE MOROCCAN SUBSTANTIAL AUTONOMY PROPOSAL AIMS AT PROMOTING PEACE SECURITY 1 A

2 population, although consisting mainly of nomads, was organized in tribes under the authority of the elected sheikhs. It found that legal ties of allegiance between the Sultan of Morocco and the tribes living in the territory of Western Sahara existed and this legal situation was recognized not only by the sultan and the population concerned, but also by the international community. (See international court of justice / advisory opinion 16/10/1975) Morocco is still in the process of informing, and discussing the autonomy proposal with permanent members of the UN Security Council and the rest of the world, according to the wish of the international community The plan of a substantial autonomy transfers competences and creates local institutions (legislative and executive) within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.again autonomy is seen by experts in international law as a very advanced form of self determination. This plan was prepared mainly by the Royal Advisory Council for Sahara Affairs, under a close and direct supervision of the King Mohamed VI (see and it has been subject to large consultations with the sahraoui populations and Moroccan political parties. There is no doubt in my mind (and for the same purpose to the mind of sahraouis) that the proposal in question aims at putting an end to a dispute that lasted over three decades at the expense of the wellbeing of sahraouis. As it is known to everybody the polisario leadership is based in Rabouny inside the Algerian territory, and precisely in the outskirt of Tindouf.the polisario supervises refugee camps of only 20 to 25% of all sahraouis. The polisario remains a totalitarian military and political movement, with single party system, sole institutions, structures and sole bureaucracies, with everything wrapped up in one track thinking. The leaders of the polisario travel with Algerian passports. The Polisario is not the sole and legitimate representative of the sahraouis; simply because the overwhelming majority of sahraoui have opted to live under Moroccan sovereignty (75 to 85 %). They are indeed represented in the CORCAS ( online.net ) The Polisario is definitely not the sole and legitimate representative of the sahraoui, because the overwhelming majority of sahraoui opted to remain Moroccans and they are represented in the CORCAS which was established by the King Mohamed VI. Sahraouis back the process of autonomy under the Moroccan sovereignty. They are proud to belong to the Moroccan nation. Through out the history not even one sahraoui opted for the separatism, not even the parents and families of the present polisario leadership. The present deadlock is a result to the Algerian non commitment to its explicit statement, which says that it does not consider itself as THE MOROCCAN SUBSTANTIAL AUTONOMY PROPOSAL AIMS AT PROMOTING PEACE SECURITY 2 A

3 part of the dispute, facts on the ground shows unfortunately that Algeria encourages the non elected and non democratic polisario leadership to radicalism, on one hand, and to refuse any peaceful settlement within the framework of a large autonomy. Despite of the Algerian continued sabotage, all Sahraouis fully and unconditionally support the autonomy project, whether they are in LAAYOUN, SEMARA, BOUJDOUR, DAKHLA, AWSSARD, and even in the Tindouf camps. As to sahraoui refugees in Tindouf's camps North West Algeria they back the autonomy proposal seeing in it a solution that guaranties political, economic, and social rights for all sahraouis. In fact they are looking forward to going back home. The polisario and the Algerian intelligent services (that control the polisario) can not in any case stop the process of democracy and freedom, and the aspirations of the peoples of the Maghreb Arab (North African countries) to unity, solidarity, and prosperity. It is obvious that Morocco seeks a final settlement to this dispute, which is in a way a result of the cold war and the inter Arab differences, this conflict did not help to effectively build the Maghreb Union, at the same time it did not stop the civil war in Algeria, nor the phenomenon of terrorism in the region. The dispute over Western Sahara did not help the promotion of democracy in the region nor making use of natural resources for the people of the region. Morocco is presenting a courageous and revolutionary project that has never been presented in the Arab and Islamic world, and even in the continent of Africa The philosophy behind the Moroccan proposal is that Sahraouis claims will be satisfied, and Algeria will keep its dignity, provided Morocco remains sovereign over its southern territories. It appears that the international community is welcoming Moroccan autonomy project.it is seen as a constructive and just proposal for all parties, this viewpoint was felt by the members of Moroccan delegations all over the main world capitals.the Moroccan diplomatic move was a total success The Moroccan proposal is to grant a substantial autonomy to the Western Sahara region under the Moroccan sovereignty, and respect its territorial integrity, with the aim to putting an end to a 30 year old dispute over the territory with the Algerian backed polisario separatist movement. There is no doubt in my mind that the Moroccan proposal is an answer to the UN Security Council resolution and to the constant international community appeals for a political solution to the Western Sahara issue, as it is a fruit of national and international consultations. The King Mohamed VI supervised closely the process of drawing up such a proposal that guarantees peace, security, and stability in the region of North Africa on one hand, and gives the Western Sahara sufficient autonomy to become effectively self governing on the other hand. Generally speaking the parliament of the Sahara will be formed by members elected by sahraoui tribes, and by members elected by direct THE MOROCCAN SUBSTANTIAL AUTONOMY PROPOSAL AIMS AT PROMOTING PEACE SECURITY 3 A

4 universal suffrage by sahraouis.as to the executive authority in the Sahara autonomous region will lie with a head of government, to be elected by the regional parliament. It will have the financial resources required for its development in areas such as: economic sector, region's local administration, police forces and jurisdictions, infrastructure, the social sector, cultural affairs and environment. The Moroccan substantial proposal requires an amendment of the Moroccan constitution, in order to incorporate the autonomy statute into it. The kingdom of Morocco will keep its powers in terms of defence, foreign affairs and international relations, and the country's judicial order. in addition to the constitutional and the religious prerogatives of the King. Although both Algeria and Polisario refused the Moroccan proposal, before it was submitted to the UN, and even before finding out about the content of it.the secretary general personal envoy for Sahara Van Walsum stated ( in his press conference at the headquarter of the UN, after presenting his report to the UN chief) that the Moroccan proposal to grant substantial autonomy to the western Sahara "was the result of an extended political process of national and international consultations" whereas the polisario proposal, the UN envoy added "it is consistent with polisario well known positions".as far as the role of Algeria in the conflict Mr Walsum recognized the pre eminent role of Algeria, "Algeria has in this whole dossier (Sahara issue) played an absolutely pre eminent,dominant role ever since1975" this is the first time that a senior UN official dealing directly with the western Sahara issue that recognized in a diplomatic Worthing to what extent the Algerians are directly involved in the western Sahara dispute,and even in the decision making on behalf of the separatist movement called polisario while Algiers keeps insisting that "it is not a part in the conflict". It is almost certain that the Security Council would go along with the newly nominated general, secretary of the UN Ban ki moon's recommendation, a move that would step up pressure for a negotiated solution. IN his report to the Security Council Ban Ki moon reiterated his call to the parties, including Algeria to accept the principle of direct negociations,without any preconditions in order to reach a settlement to the three decade old Sahara conflict, he also quoted his personal envoy's analysis saying that "the security council had consistently made it clear that it would not impose a solution to the question of western Sahara, which had led him to the conclusion that there were only two options: either indefinite prolongation of the impasse, or negotiations without preconditions between the parties aimed at achieving a mutually acceptable political solution. It does not appear that the polisario nor the Algerian government have much choice if winning the present diplomatic battle. In fact members of the UN security council are explicitly asking Algeria to take part in any form of direct dialogue with Morocco searching for a final settlement to this conflict.it seems to me that the international THE MOROCCAN SUBSTANTIAL AUTONOMY PROPOSAL AIMS AT PROMOTING PEACE SECURITY 4 A

5 community are "fed up" with the Algerian double standard policy towards the western Sahara issue...sometimes it presents itself as a concerned party, other times as an important actor, or as a party in the settlement of the dispute. If Algeria is willing,as it claims,to help sahraoui refugees in its own territory in Tindouf, then it has to lift the military and security blockade imposed around the camps, it would then find out that Sahraoui refugees will automatically exert the self determination by walking from the camps and returning to their homeland in Morocco. It seems after a dispute that lasted three decades without any glimpse of hope of a settlement that Algeria should abandon its old dreams, and stop its non stop allegations which are in so many respects unconvincing at all, in order to pave the way,and help to create a healthy atmosphere towards a settlement to the western Sahara issue. The conflict impede the construction of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), hindering any form of agreement between the neighbouring countries, while keeping sahraoui families from returning home to live among their own.it also created a center of tension in the north west of Africa encouraged by the proliferation of human traffic, in particular in the form of clandestine immigration, weapons trafficking, drugs, the deviation of goods in the camps as well as the appearance of terrorism. Today both Algeria and polisario are loosing momentum; all signs indicate that polisario in particular will weaken if the status quo remains The UN charter, the ultimate international jurisprudence stipulates that self determination must take into account the territory integrity and unity, so autonomy remains one of the best solutions for self determination, this type of substantial autonomy exists in the most highly developed countries across the world My view is that Algeria and the polisario would continue their refusal policy towards peaceful and political settlement to the crisis, although the international community welcomed with interest the Moroccan Substantial Autonomy proposal. The Moroccan position is unequivocal; the western Sahara is an integral part of the Kingdom whether Algeria and polisario come to term with the Moroccan Substantial Autonomy Proposal which aims at promoting peace, security and stability in the region.. THE MOROCCAN SUBSTANTIAL AUTONOMY PROPOSAL AIMS AT PROMOTING PEACE SECURITY 5 A