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Saudi Arabia and Togo have both renewed their strong support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the most credible and realistic solution to end the regional dispute over the Western Sahara. The two countries voiced their positions on Monday during the sessions of the UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee in New York.
Speaking before the committee, Saudi Arabia’s representative reaffirmed his country’s “support for the Autonomy Initiative in the Moroccan Sahara within the framework of Morocco’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” He emphasized that the proposal “aligns with international law, the UN Charter, and the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly.”
The Saudi diplomat noted that the UN Security Council welcomed the initiative in successive resolutions since 2007. He also reiterated Riyadh’s backing of Morocco’s efforts to reach a political solution to the dispute, based on compromise and under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General.
In a separate statement, Togo’s representative, Koffi Akakpo, echoed similar support, describing the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as “the most credible, realistic, and pragmatic basis” for achieving a lasting political solution.
He said the plan “strikes a balance between local self-governance and respect for Morocco’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” adding that it remains “the best option for a negotiated solution guided by realism and a sense of responsibility.”
Akakpo also spoke about the growing international support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces, citing the opening of numerous consulates by Arab, African, American, and Asian countries in Laayoune and Dakhla, including one from Togo.
These diplomatic representations reflect “increasing recognition of the Moroccan Sahara as a hub of development, stability, and regional cooperation,” he said.
The Togolese diplomat further commended Morocco’s efforts to promote economic and social development in its southern regions, saying these initiatives have “improved living conditions, strengthened democratic participation, and consolidated regional stability.” He added that these steps demonstrate Morocco’s “clear determination to integrate its southern provinces into the country’s broader development and regional cooperation strategy.”
Akakpo also expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in the Tindouf camps in Algeria, calling for “transparent mechanisms” to protect the rights of the camp’s residents and ensure regular humanitarian access. He commended Morocco’s respect for the ceasefire and its continued cooperation with the UN peacekeeping mission, MINURSO.
He concluded by reaffirming Togo’s support for the UN-led political process and the efforts of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara to advance dialogue and revive negotiations.
Growing support for Morocco’s position
Morocco has continued to gain international backing for its Autonomy Plan, which it first presented to the United Nations in 2007. The plan proposes granting the region broad self-governance under Moroccan sovereignty, an approach that has since been recognized by many countries as a realistic and peaceful framework for resolving the decades-long dispute.
In recent years, dozens of countries have opened consulates in the cities of Laayoune and Dakhla to symbolize their recognition of Morocco’s authority over the territory.
Several African and Arab nations, along with major global partners such as the United States, Spain, France, and the UK, have also expressed clear support for Morocco’s initiative. The US recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara in 2020, while Spain described the autonomy plan as “the most serious, realistic, and credible” basis for resolving the dispute in 2022.
The UK is one of the latest additions to this list, having recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara earlier this year.
Morocco, for its part, continues to invest heavily in the development of its southern provinces. Projects in infrastructure, renewable energy, and education have transformed the region into a growing economic and logistics hub linking Morocco with sub-Saharan Africa.
Source: Morocco word news
