In a speech during the 24th Committee of the Pacific regional conference held in Bali, Indonesia (24-26 May), Sierra Leone’s Ambassador Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Alhaji Wende Touré, reaffirmed his country’s support for Morocco. The initiative, which has been recognized by Security Council resolutions since 2007 as “serious” and credible, is supported by more than 100 member states.
They highlighted that this is an initiative that is in line with the provisions of international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly, especially with regard to the delegation of power to local populations.
The Ambassador expressed satisfaction at Morocco’s initiative to establish a suitable political environment for the opening of 28 Consulates General of Arab, African, Asian and American countries in the cities of Laayoune and Dakhla. In this regard, he mentioned about opening the Consulate General of his country in Dakhla.
On the other hand, they commended the UN Secretary-General’s continued support for the ongoing political process within the framework of Security Council resolutions since 2007, aimed at reaching a realistic, practical, sustainable and acceptable political solution to the Moroccan territorial dispute. Support.
Mr. Touré, by the way, welcomed the efforts of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, Staffan de Mistura, to facilitate and give new dynamism to the political process, including his visit to the Rabat, Tindouf camps . Algeria and Nouakchott, as well as he held informal consultations with Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the “Polisario” in New York last March.
They stressed that these efforts reinforce the momentum emanating from the two Round Tables in Geneva with the participation of Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the “Polisario”, urging all relevant parties to maintain this momentum in accordance with the Security Council resolutions We do.
The Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the United Nations noted the participation of representatives of the Moroccan Sahara at the 24th Regional Conference of the Committee, and for the fifth consecutive time, at the annual sessions of this Committee, and in the round with a view to democratic elections in September 2021 Table in Geneva.
They called for the resumption of roundtable meetings in the same format as in resolution 2654 issued last October and with the same participants: Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the “Polisario”.
The ambassador highlighted Morocco’s efforts for the socio-economic development of the southern provinces, as well as the measures taken by the state in the field of human rights, which were welcomed by various Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2654.
I take this opportunity to commend Morocco for respecting the ceasefire in the Sahara, calling on the rest of the parties to respect the ceasefire in the interest of peace and stability in the entire region.
The diplomat also expressed his country’s “deep concern” about the deteriorating human rights situation in Tindouf camps, southwestern Algeria, especially women and children. He added that “persistent human rights violations not only deprive the residents of Tindof camps of their rights, but also impede humanitarian aid.”
In this regard, Mr. Turay called on the Mission of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to conduct a population census in accordance with international humanitarian law and relevant Security Council resolutions.
In conclusion, they appealed to the international community to continue supporting the efforts of all concerned parties to reach a viable and practical solution to this territorial dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.