A group of 40 countries reaffirmed on Tuesday their support for Morocco's "full and complete sovereignty" over its Southern Provinces during the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, while emphasizing that the Sahara issue remains a political dispute under the exclusive purview of the UN Security Council.
In a joint statement delivered before the Council, the group stressed that the Security Council continues to view the dispute through a political process and has identified a solution based on genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as a credible and realistic outcome.
Presenting the statement, Morocco's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Ambassador Omar Zniber, said the countries support the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2797, which calls for the continuation of the political process aimed at reaching a lasting, pragmatic, and mutually acceptable solution.
The group also reiterated its backing for negotiations involving the parties identified by the Security Council and based on Morocco's Autonomy Plan as the framework for resolving the dispute.
In this regard, the statement welcomed Morocco's efforts to update and further develop its Autonomy Initiative, as well as its commitment to facilitating the return and integration of populations living in the Tindouf camps under conditions of equality with all Moroccan citizens.
The countries further praised Morocco's longstanding engagement with the United Nations human rights system, highlighting its cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the special procedures of the Human Rights Council.
According to the statement, Morocco has maintained a constructive, voluntary, and substantive dialogue with UN human rights mechanisms aimed at promoting and protecting human rights throughout its territory.
The group also stressed that interactions between member states and UN human rights bodies should remain bilateral and should not be subject to political exploitation.
In addition, the 40 countries welcomed the growing number of states that have opened consulates general in the cities of Dakhla and Laayoune, describing these diplomatic representations as an important driver of economic cooperation and investment.
The statement noted that these initiatives contribute to local development while strengthening regional and continental economic integration.
The countries also argued that resolving the regional dispute would support broader aspirations for development and integration across Africa and the Arab world.
Concluding the statement, the group commended Morocco's continued efforts to advance a political solution and promote regional stability, emphasizing that a settlement of the dispute would help unlock greater opportunities for cooperation, development, and integration across the region.
