According to informed sources in Tindouf, the strong-worded speech delivered Monday by King Mohammed VI of Morocco on the Sahara issue has seriously shaken the Polisario leaders who find themselves unable to find an answer to bring, especially that the Moroccan sovereign did not even deign to mention the separatist movement, pointing the finger directly at Algeria as the instigator of the conflict.
Mohammed VI was well advised to choose the celebration of the 42nd anniversary of the Green March, which sealed the recovery of the Sahara by Morocco in 1975, to refresh the memory of the Algerian leaders. The Moroccan sovereign thus recalled that Morocco’s claim on the Sahara were formulated in 1958, well before the issue was tabled at the United Nations in 1963, and even long before Algeria became independent in 1962.
He stressed, however, that Morocco remains committed to engaging in the dynamic initiated by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and to cooperating with his Personal Envoy, but only as long as the principles and fundamentals of the Moroccan position are respected.
On top of these fundamentals, no settlement is possible outside the full sovereignty of Morocco over its Sahara, and outside the Autonomy Initiative, which the international community has recognized as serious and credible.
Mohammed VI also threw the ball into Algeria’s camp, insisting that it is up to the parties that fabricated this conflict to assume their responsibility in order for a final solution to be reached.
Finally, the King of Morocco affirmed that the UN Security Council is the only international body tasked with overseeing the settlement process, closing thus the door to any interference on this issue, particularly on the part of the African Union, whose involvement is much desired by Algeria and South Africa.
The deadly blow was concise and trenchant. “The Sahara will remain Moroccan until God inherits the land – whatever sacrifices may be required”. All is said.
