Morocco to consult population of Western Sahara on autonomy plan
2006-03-23
 [File] Benabdellah |
Morocco will consult the people of Western Sahara on the plan to give the territory greater autonomy, which it is to submit to the UN soon, Communications Minister Nabil Benabdellah said Wednesday (22 March). "The process of consultation began 11 March with Morocco's political parties and will be widened to the Sahrawi people, notably through the Consultative Council for Saharan Affairs," Benabdellah told AFP.
He said the Moroccan offer was final and would not be improved upon. Benabdellah did note submission of its autonomy plan to the UN, originally scheduled for next month, could be delayed for several weeks. "The political parties must hand their responses to the king by 31 March, then we must draw up an analysis. The main thing is that Morocco is committed to make proposals on autonomy and will do it as soon as possible after the end of the consultations," he said. (AFP)
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maghribi Posted 2008-01-09
France was in Algeria for more than a century before being forced to withdraw after a referendum. Morocco cannot hang on to a territory that does not belong to them indefinitely. The borders inherited from colonialism cannot go unchallenged, otherwise there will be wars. Morocco already had to share its territory with Mauritania after having been driven to it by Algeria. The people of this territory must be consulted, and if Morocco is afraid of self-determination, it just goes to say they it also afraid of how what they perceive the future of that people to be with Morocco. There is a lot of talk about the Moroccan plan, but I know there is also a plan proposed by the Sahrawi outlining their vision of the future. Ultimately, it is up to the people of the Western Sahara to decide between these two plans. It must be said that the people should be consulted. Otherwise, God will not be pleased and the only solution will be a deadly war so that the Sahrawi can reclaim their rights. And, in order for Morocco to wipe out all opposition, it will need to eliminate all the Sahrawi protests. But, in this case, Algeria will not just stand aside, arms crossed.
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