The Union of the Comoros expresses "as usual the position that has always been its position on the situation in the Moroccan Sahara", said Ambassador Chargé d'Affaires of the Union of the Comoros to the UN, Ahmed Abdallah, before the Committee, adding that his country is convinced that the autonomy initiative presented by Morocco "is the compromise solution that in accordance with international law, the UN Charter and the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council."
The Union of the Comoros supports the ongoing political process, held under the exclusive auspices of the UN Secretary-General, on the basis of the 16 resolutions adopted by the Security Council since 2007 to achieve "a political, mutually acceptable and negotiated solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara," the diplomat underscored.
He added that his country also welcomes the holding of two round-tables between Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania and the polisario, and the agreement of all participants to meet at a third roundtable under the same format.
Abdallah further highlighted the Security Council's request to the four participants, particularly under resolution 2494, to remain engaged, with realism and a spirit of compromise, throughout the political process so that it can be brought to a successful conclusion.
In this regard, he reiterated his country's support for Resolution 2494 that established the roundtable process as the only way to achieve this political solution, calling on the next Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General to continue on the same path of the former Personal Envoy, Horst Köhler.
Achieving "a political solution to this long-standing dispute and enhanced cooperation among the member states of the Arab Maghreb Union would contribute to stability and security in the Sahel region, as underlined in resolutions 2414, 2440, 2468 and 2494 in particular," the diplomat noted.
He also welcomed Morocco's investments in the Sahara as part of the development model of the Southern Provinces launched in 2015 to "improve the living conditions of the people of this region and empower them by benefiting from the resources at their disposal," recalling that his country has opened a consular representation in Laayoune "which shows the determination to open up to this region."
On the global health context, the diplomat also welcomed the efforts and achievements of Morocco in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
"In this regard, we would like to express our gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who in a spirit of solidarity, has granted aid in medical equipment and medicine to several African countries including the Union of Comoros," he stated.
He also welcomed the participation over the past few years of "elected representatives of the Moroccan Sahara in seminars and meetings of the C24 and their participation in two round tables in Geneva, as part of the political process," while highlighting the strengthening of the role of regional commissions of the National Human Rights Council in Laayoune and Dakhla and bilateral cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Abdallah also expressed the concern of the Union of the Comoros over the situation of the populations in the Tindouf camps. "It is urgent and highly necessary to proceed with their registration, in accordance with international humanitarian law, the mandate of the UNHCR, the recommendations of the UN Secretary General and all Security Council resolutions since 2011, including Resolution 2494," he stressed.