New UN resolution on Western Sahara gets positive reaction
2008-10-24
The United Nations General Assembly's Fourth Committee issued a new resolution on the outstanding Western Sahara issue between Morocco and the Polisario. Each party claims it serves their interests.
By Naoufel Cherkaoui for Magharebia in Rabat – 24/10/08
 [Getty Images] Moroccan Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi-Fihri said a new UN resolution on Western Sahara supports Morocco's autonomy proposal. |
The United Nations General Assembly's Fourth Committee approved Tuesday (October 21st) a draft resolution that would have parties to the Western Sahara dispute "continue to show political will and work in an atmosphere propitious for dialogue in order to enter into a more intensive phase of negotiations".
The Assembly would also support the process of negotiations "with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that would provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara".
Morocco welcomed the resolution, claiming the document supports the kingdom's initiative for Saharan autonomy.
"By taking this resolution, the UN Fourth Committee... is deemed to have conducted a real re-formulation of the resolutions that it has taken since 1965," Moroccan Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi-Fihri told the press.
Fassi-Fihri said the decision supports a "fact that the entire international community has confirmed; that autonomy is a modern form of self-determination according to the provisions of international law and UN practices".
The resolution confirms the centralisation of negotiations kicked off under UN Security Council Resolution 1754, the minister said, which was issued in April 2007 in support of Morocco's submission of the autonomy initiative.
The Polisario Front interpreted the new resolution in a different way, claiming it represents an endorsement by the international community of the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination.
"Through this resolution," said Polisario member Mohamed Ould Salek, "the international community has reiterated that any just political solution must guarantee the exercise of the right to self-determination and independence by the Sahrawi people in conformity with the principles and resolutions of the UN regarding decolonisation."
The Front called on Morocco to "stop practicing its status quo policy and its blocking of the self-determination referendum, which represents the only and realistic way that can lead to a just and permanent settlement."
Algeria praised the resolution for its support of the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination.
In a communiqué published by the Sahrawi News Agency, Algeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "Algeria welcomes the release of the new resolution which clearly reiterates the correctness of the resolution taken by the General Assembly, which conforms to the UN Charter, and Security Council Resolution 1514 which calls for independence for colonised peoples and states."
Polisario leader Mohammed Abdelaziz said last Tuesday that he would meet UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on November 4th in New York "in order to enter into constructive and fruitful negotiations with Morocco".
"In the meeting, we shall discuss the possibility of holding a free, just and fair referendum for the self-determination of the Sahrawi people," Abdelaziz said.
"The Front is ready to negotiate," he stressed, adding that his group has accepted the proposed new UN envoy, Christopher Ross.
According to Mohammed V University law professor Taj Eddine El Houssaini, the importance of the new resolution is in its "framework of agreement, and also in the framework of deciding on a demand aimed at conforming to previous resolutions passed by the Security Council".
"It has also won the support of both the United States and the European Union," he said.
Regarding future negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario, he added: "The next stage will feature difficulties for the two sides with the approaching announcement of new UN special envoy Christopher Ross, who has won the acceptance of both Algeria and Polisario, while Morocco is still expressing some reservations."
"This is because Morocco doesn't want the negotiations to start from square one," El Housseini said, "as it considers what the negotiations have reached under the auspices of former envoy Van Walsum as some sort of gains, especially considering the demand for the Sahara independence as unrealistic."
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عبد القادر Posted 2008-10-24
Eastern Sahara is an integral part of the Cherifian kingdom of Morocco. Algeria must acknowledge this reality. There is no place for manipulations and evasion for meaningless things. I hope that the Moroccan government fully assumes responsibility of all the country.
afella Posted 2008-10-25
Let the people decide their fate. That would be better for everyone.
Anonymous Posted 2008-10-25
The proposal for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty was not accepted by the Polisario and is already in the past. It was done away with when Mr van Walsum was ousted. Of course, Morocco still hopes to participate in the next round of negotiations, but this will be pointless. There are other proposals to be expected this time, and they all permit the Sahrawi people to freely choose their future, including the possibility of living in a free state. Morocco is damned to change its strategy if it truly want to protect its interests. This minister had well reminded the UN requires a “politically just, long-lasting and mutually acceptable solution, that will permit the Sahrawi people self-determination over the Western Sahara.”
ABDALLAH (BERLIN)ALLEMAGNE. Posted 2008-10-25
As a Maghrebin and Muslim living abroad, I ask that the Algerians and Moroccans resolve this problem with Western Sahara as quickly and as soon as possible. Algeria’s president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika and the king of Morocco, Mohamed VI, are very smart not to get into an armed conflict. The Arab world has enough problems as it is, such that the aim of the Maghreb people after their respective independence should be that of peace. So, stop ruining us. You want to create hatred between peoples, that is all. Listen, Mr Bouteflika, do not listen to that imposter, Mohamed Abdelaziz; he wants to destabilise the great Arab Maghreb. As a Libyan, I ask that our Maghrebi brothers to shake each other’s hand and build the Arab Maghreb. The Westerners were the ones who managed to create this crisis for the Arab Maghreb. –Salam Alaikoum, God bless and, as the Germans say, “Danke!”
KAMEL BOURHERHOUBA - HEICH-ALLEMAGNE. Posted 2008-10-25
As I good Algerian, I ask the Algerian army’s generals to leave the Moroccan Sahara alone. Listen to me, I am from Constantine and we stand by our Moroccan brothers. Long live the Arab Maghreb! Long live Abdelaziz Bouteflika! Long live Mohamed VI! –Salam Alaikoum
bibes Posted 2008-10-25
ridiculous
AHMEDI Posted 2008-10-26
I remind our Arab and Muslim Algerian neighbours that nations should be looking to unite, not divide. So, I find it hard to understand Algeria’s words; it is trying to nitpick Morocco, which is only looking for peace and to act neighbourly. Also, Islam has never encouraged division. On the contrary, it hardily recommends the unification of Muslims in order to face our various enemies. May Allah guide these “Muslim Algerians” to the right path.
KADDOUR Posted 2008-10-27
I read all of the comments and not a single one of them is objective. Why? Well, as a Moroccan from Oujda, I will tell you: the Sahara was colonised by Spain and, immediately afterwards, it was colonised by us and Mauritania. That is something that everyone is trying to forget now! Be frank; what are we afraid of? The Sahrawi population is for the majority pro-Moroccan. So, let us organise a referendum and shut the entire world up. -Goodbye
Hammadi,qadri TUNIS, Posted 2008-10-27
Long live Algeria! Long live the Kingdom of Morocco! Long live our brothers of the (God willing) United Maghreb! Ben Ali forever! -Salam Alaikoum
Francis Gereza BRUXELLE U.E Posted 2008-10-27
Dear Maghrebis- Dear Maghrebis, the diplomatic problem between the People’s Republic of Algeria and the Kingdom of Morocco will be resolved very soon at the UN headquarters in New York City, United States. Algeria’s and Morocco’s diplomatic leaders are intelligent enough to resolve this through diplomatic conventions. Everything will be resolved well before January 2009. I wish good luck to the entire editorial team at the Magharebia news website.
Med Posted 2008-10-27
To Magharebia- Thank you for allowing us to express ourselves freely. The last comment attributed to “Anonymous” is indeed mine. To Kaddour: I would like to tell you thank you for finally posting a comment that is positive on the part of a Moroccan. If the Moroccan leaders had respected international law, then this conflict would have long ago been done with. Now, they no longer have a choice: the UN Decolonisation Commission just decided upon the self-determination of the Sahrawi People. But, this does not mean that independence has been acquired for the Sahrawis; everything depends on the results of a referendum.
boukaboura Posted 2008-10-27
The Western powers fabricated this problem with the Sahara piece by piece in 1975. Boumediene and Hassan II are dead, so why not find a middle-ground solution that will suit all the parties? The two countries need to have some political courage. Both Moroccan and Algerian customs need to do their work to prohibit the movement of banned products such as drugs, weapons and so on and the Moroccan media needs to stop denigrating Algeria. I believe that the later does not know that the majority of these people have blood ties and family on both sides of the border and has nothing to do with these political problems. The day will come when there will perhaps no longer be a border and, God willing, we will be free to move about the Great Maghreb.
Mustapha Posted 2008-10-27
Hello.I couldnt help myself but to write and explain an important point. we must know where we come from to know where we going!!our history is clear that when the kingdom of Morocco or Almagreb was set up...there was NO "poeple republic of algeria or sahrawi polisario!! in fact Morocco lost its eastern territory{now called algeria} to Ottoman empire.the turks then lost it to the french in 1830. spain took north &south Morocco! portugal took some coastal cities like Essaouira,Eljadida..ect. Morocco or the moors were strong but still lost territory to foreign invaders.. morocco didnt fight the turks nor the french over its territory now called algeria.. so when algerians fought the french over it,they won the right of self determination. the so called "western sahara" is only a 38year old problem!! when in 1975spanish troops left south and north of Morocco,it was a happy day or independence day for Morocco! by now it had most of its land back from the french,spanish,portuguese.. apart from ceuta and Melilia!! so,please! when you talk about western independance..what exactly do you mean? just because Algeria managed to breack away from mother land Morocco,doesnt mean we give away north morocco tetouan and tanger..and essaouira..aljadida....south sahara..ect. south morocco was never a country.the word polisario is of spanish language and sahrawi idea is of algerian creation!!! why do we give it so much attention!? south morocco is part of morocco if algeria like it or not. we should not negotiate at any cost to give away part of our land.. long live morocco long live the king long live Moroccans and long live unity.Algeria should concentrate on its own suffering poeple.. its a wealthy country yet its poeple suffer from wars and hunger and corruption...
gol Posted 2008-10-28
In a democracy, there is political opposition or an alternative party that fails in its political platform. Indeed, in Morocco, those who thought to do well in the past by telling us that Algeria was a brother country and that it was necessary at all costs to support us were just telling us a pack of lies. This party failed, so is there an opposition party in Morocco that does defend Moroccan interests? Unfortunately, no- we are headed smack dab into a wall. A representative at the head of a country is elected by the people to defend their interests, not to make the speeches an imam would make; this is not his role. We have never heard French President Nicholas Sarkozy say that Spain is a brother country, but that is an economic partner, and that is why that country is making progress.
عبد المالك من الصحراء Posted 2008-10-28
Praise be to God because Moroccans have preserved their land for three decades. We are on our land. If Algeria is making profit from this cause, it should know that we can do more than a green march for an inch of our land. Sornettes are never the dreams of the wise.
EL-FAHD U.A.E Posted 2008-10-28
Long live Bouteflika. Long live Mohammed Al-Malik. Long live Algeria. Long live Morocco. Long live Tlemcen. Long live Rabat. May God assist you President Bouteflika. May God assist you king of Morocco. Long live the Islamic Maghreb.
BEN Posted 2008-10-28
It is clear that, given the statement made by the head of the Polisario, there is no longer anything left to negotiate. I believe that the American envoy must therefore draw the appropriate conclusions, determining that the aforementioned was totally biased. The UN has already done a lot of work, having Eric Jenson, van Walsum and so on indeed furnish complete reports on the situation we are undergoing. This micro-state in the pay of Algeria and its stooges is the chimera of the gas-vending, retired colonels. The real Sahrawis ask for but one thing, and that is to be done with this situation and live in peace. As for the Polisario, one wonders why they do not lay claim to south-western Algeria so they can live there, given they would be at home with what remains of their mercenaries.
gol Posted 2008-10-29
We are heading straight for the autonomy of the Western Sahara, otherwise why would the UN ask for realistic negotiations? I asked the question and now I am going to be more explicit: if this means holding some sort of referendum, then it also means that there is no need to negotiate, given that the solution will be the referendum itself. In short, the deal has changed in the Maghreb. Finally, the Moroccan leaders are going to be able to simply replace the word “sister” in the qualification of Algeria with “economic partner” and everyone will understand the wheel keeps on turning. In conclusion, through this conflict, history has shown that in reality there are neither brothers nor sisters, only interests. In the end, we hope that the Moroccan leaders have learned a lesson.
Salima Arrhas - ITALIE Posted 2008-10-29
Very soon you are going to see good relations between Moroccans and Algerians. For example, why did President Abdelaziz Bouteflika declare that Algeria holding strong to its principles and that the Sahrawi people must progress towards self-determination during his visit to Rabat, Morocco in 2008? Our Moroccan leaders received these words quite properly, but the Secretary General of Algeria’s FLN needs to accept that the UN plays a large role in this as well.
PATRIK VESSA.Lyon Posted 2008-10-29
Long live the Kingdom of Morocco! Long live Algeria! All of these problems are because of Mauritania! Bravo, Mr Ould-Dada!
ادريس Posted 2008-10-30
We Moroccans don’t like to talk about separation which westerners want for us. We ask from this forum, which we thank, Maghreb rulers not to support the idea of hatred and separation. We are one family. We ask our brothers in Tindouf to lift the slogan of God, the nation, the king as it was stated in the declarations of the founder of the front. We are with you with our hearts and money. When will we unite our word our Maghreb brothers? We don’t want separation. We don’t want division. We want unity and one word. What is our blame we the people in delaying development projects…?
abbes Posted 2008-10-31
Neither the Algerians, nor the Mauritanians, nor the Tunisians, nor the Libyans, nor all of the Arabs as a whole can resolve or manage to come to a resolution that the two parties, Morocco and the SADR will consent to. Only tanks and rifles and swords will give power either to an independent SADR or to a complete occupation. Blood must be spilled again and children must be burned in the fire of Hassan II’s bombs.
BEN Posted 2008-11-03
“Blood is flowing” The Ait Oussa tribe is holding a demonstration in demand for Slouh Salem, who was kidnapped by Polisario mercenaries and delivered to the Algerian military camps. This is what happens to all those who oppose the camps at Tindouf: they are necessarily tortured. You are left asking what happened to the human-rights defenders. The Ait Oussa tribe will defend its legitimate rights against the blind barbarism of the band of faithless and lawless deviants. Slouh represents the “opposition” according to the people who have been blinded by power and money to the detriment of the entire Sahrawi population’s interests. The latter is tired of this adventure created by an Algerian government, whose damage to the Maghreb extends beyond as far as the eye can see.
www.calwesternsahara.org Posted 2008-11-19
Maybe Morocco Foreign Minister did not understand that the Fourth Committee held in the United Nations was regarding DECOLONIZATION. The illegal invasion of the Western Sahara by Morocco is going to have an end. Freedom for the Western Sahara! Morocco, keep your hands out of the resources of the WS! California Western Sahara Association
mohanad almaghribi Posted 2008-11-27
I love Morocco, but I do not hate Algeria. But, if Algeria continues to be cranky, then it will get what it deserves. You should have some shame, commanders of Algeria. You are the enemies of God and humanity.
un-mek-du78 Posted 2008-12-12
Salam to the Sahara and, more particularly, the people of the Aït Oussa tribe- I have a message for all the Sahrawis, especially those of the Aït Oussa: there is a general assembly for the organisation “Roots and Horizons” there. This is an organisation of young people of the Aït Oussa tribe from France and from Europe whose primary objectives are to represent and promote the cultural identity of the Aït Oussa from France and Europe, to foster exchanges, dialogues and better co-operation between the different interest groups such as the organisation and its members, the Aït Oussa community throughout the world, different partners and so on, and to be an actor in the real of solidarity via social, humanitarian and medical work at the level of the global North and South for democracy and the respect of human and citizens rights in the region and beyond. This assembly will be held in Lens on 17 January 2008 on Rue Paul Sion, 62300 Lens. (On highway A1, get off at Lens. On highway A21, get off at Loison.) The program is financial, moral and activity reports, a meeting with a developmental organisation and, of course, a cultural party with the music group “Hassani”. You are all welcome. Pass the message on to everyone. For more information, do not hesitate to contact us. (Email address: Mohamed.chouaiar@laposte.net)
maghrébin Posted 2008-12-27
A week ago, Abdelaziz Belkhadem declared that Algeria (the FLN’s regime) is holding on to its principles, believing that the Moroccans are stupid. However, what he should know is that, as Algerians, we have always known and understood that the Sahara is a Moroccan territory, which was occupied by Spain. And, we have but to revise our primary, secondary and higher-education history book for the years of 1969 through 1977. It is weird hearing a pro-FLN politician (soldier) say such stupid things. In fact, if there is to be a planned self-determination, then it ought to be in Algeria for the entirety of the Amazigh people. The FLN politics are old and they have been that way since Boumediene. I would ask him why he did not let the Algerian people have their say in the 1990s, when they openly chose the FIS. Quite the opposite, you, the FLN generals, massacred 200,000 Algerians in order to seize power. You have made too many speculations on Morocco and on its territory to make us forget about our victims. Personally, I once visited Morocco and I saw how our Moroccan and, more especially, Amazigh brothers lived. They have nothing to do with us. Our Moroccan brothers are generous. Even their road police and gendarmes have no hate for the Algerians. So, I ask you, Mr Belkhadem, to mind your own presidential-election campaign next time, as it has already been won by that Bouteflika of yours without ever having asked the Algerians opinion. Long live Morocco, both its king and people! Long live the Algerians! May the dictatorial regime wither. God willing, it will wither!
Dziri58 Posted 2008-12-28
To Maghrebin; it is obvious that you are Moroccan and not Algerian, so why do you have to sneak around in other peoples clothes like a coward, in order to make your point? Do you find it helps your case? One thing for sure, you will never find an Algerian resulting to such pathetic practices because disguising your identity stinks of dishonesty and hypocrisy and therefore makes the message you are trying to put accross worthless. Algerians are far too honest for their own good and therefore make more foes than friends but they never lose their respect.
ALI Posted 2008-12-29
In response to “Maghrébin”- Mr Maghrébin, the Algerians are not fooled: you are a Moroccan. In school, the Algerians never learned that this territory was part of Moroccan territory. Moreover, you country has often laid claim to territories that do not belong to it, such as Mauritania, which got its independence, but was only recognised by Morocco in 1969. You lay claim to part of Algeria, Mali, Senegal and even Spain. Ceuta and Melilla have belonged to Spain since 1497. Therefore, logically speaking, there also should be a referendum for Ceuta and Melilla, and I do not really see their inhabitants opting for Morocco. Saying that the Moroccan police and gendarmes are nice is going too far. You might do publicity, but not over here. I know not just a few Moroccans who speak about the security services. Moreover, it is because of their turning a blind eye that the Algerian-Moroccan border has ended up as it has. And, when speaking about the FIS, you showed your true hatred for Algeria. The Algerians know Morocco, so stop saying that you live better off than the Algerians. Your life is an anesthetized one, thanks to the donations from the people of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Spain and the European Union. Moreover, if you are living better off than the Algerians, why do your rulers, with your king at their head, ask for the border to be opened? Or is it that you are choking? Why refuse a people their self-determination? It is but an act of democracy and freedom. You say that Morocco has changed, so why do you then refuse a vote? And, as for the Amazigh-Algerian people, the problem is not the UN. You do not need to try to muddy the waters. I am of Kabyle origin, from the region of Beni Ourtilane, between Béjaïa and Sétif. You are thus not our advocate. Our prime minister is Kabyle, and the RASD is our UN.
KARIMA MIMOUN_PARIS Posted 2008-12-30
Whatever happens, the Western Sahara will have its autonomy, that is sure. But, why is Mauritania militarily supporting the Sahrawis so as to create problems for us Moroccans? Thank you Islamic Mauritanian people. Thank you, Mr Ould-Dada.
nabyl Posted 2008-12-30
Since you speak so highly of how you will not cede a centimetre of your territory, go liberate Ceuta and Melilla. Until you prove otherwise, Algeria will have to recover its territory in its entirety. Long live Algeria! Long live the Algerians!
MAGHREBIN Posted 2008-12-30
To “Maghrébin”: You are Moroccan, not Algerian, like your lies would always seem to have it. Here is the truth according to the main Moroccan opposition party, Enahdj Edemocrati, “In Nairobi, 1981, Morocco recognised the Western Sahara’s right to self-determination and then rejected it later.” The Moroccan politician, being asked about “why Morocco accepted the division of the Western Saharan territories with Mauritania.” Mr Abdallah, the secretary general of Enahdj Edemocrati made a forceful reminder of the position his party takes on the Western Sahara, saying “its solution must hold up under international law, begin with the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination and lead to a peaceful solution.” ‘This position was recently well expressed by the party during its last congress, endowing it with a new rewarding vision in light of the international powers”, stated AFP (lexpress.fr - 25 January 2008).
Smail Mimoune Genova ITA Posted 2008-12-31
Long live the princely wilaya of Casablanca! Long live the princely city of Constantine! Long live Algeria! Long live the Kingdom of Morocco! Leave us alone with our problems with the Sahara, UN! The Moroccans are our brothers. ****, what has happened to you? You have gone crazy! Abdelaziz Bouteflika was born in Oujda, Morocco. Mohamed Boudiaf, God rest his soul, lived in Morocco under King Hassan II. The generals made a massacre of Algeria because they did not want to return to the vicious circle that is the Western Sahara. Why did Houari Boumédienne die? It was because he could not come to an agreement over the Western Sahara with King Hassan II. More especially, the late Houari Boumédienne, God rest his soul, had his life empoisoned by the Western Sahara. He did not manage to come to an agreement with King Hassan II, God rest his soul. Personally, I say, “Long live Constantine, my city! Long live Casablanca!”
boras Posted 2009-01-02
polisario represents no one and never will. They claim to represent saharans yet they brainwash their children with Communism by sending them over to cuba. The children come back speaking spanish losing all cultural identity. This is nothing short of cultural genocide! Let's face it the polisario are simply a relic of the cold war and algeria should know better than to support this terrorist group.
Francois Terron_Paris Posted 2009-01-03
Algeria’s president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, was born in Oujda (Kingdom of Morocco). Personally, I think that he should be a little more understanding and united with his Moroccan brothers. He should contribute a lot to the rapprochement of brotherly relations that have tied Algeria and Morocco together for decades. P.S. Mohamed Boudiaf, the former president of Algeria, may God rest his soul, lived with King Hassan II, may God rest his soul and forgive him, for a bit more than 18 years. This was, to be precise, in the region of Kenitra.
Tahar_Jaout Fes Posted 2009-01-04
Indeed, I am very surprised by your comment, Mr Smail Mimoune. We are brothers, this is true, we are Muslims, this is true, we are neighbours, this is true, Constantine is a big city, this is true, Casablanca is beautiful city, this is true. But, we, our people, are not responsible for the waste our politicians create, my brother Smail Mimoune.
Chang TSAHANG Posted 2009-01-07
Long live Bouteflika! Long live Mohamed, King of Morocco!
Jahel Copenaghuen Posted 2009-01-07
Personally, I say: “Long live Abdelaziz Bouteflika and long live the King of Morocco!”
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