US “praises the crucial voice” of Morocco’s King Mohammed VI in “advancing peace in the region.”
The United States government has praised this Sunday. “the crucial voice” of King Mohammed VI of Morocco. regarding what U.S. officials consider the “advancement of regional peace and his leadership in promoting a secure and prosperous future for Israelis and Palestinians.”
U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinkenhas conveyed this message to the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Naser Bourita, to whom he has conveyed his intention to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Washington and Rabat.
Blinken’s spokesman, Matthew Miller, explained that both diplomats have stressed the importance of fully adherence to the recent cease-fire in Gaza between Israel and Islamic Jihad.They have also spoken about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the need to move towards a solution to the Syrian conflict.
Blinken, moreover, has stated. Washington’s “full support” for the UN special envoy for Western Sahara.Staffan de Mistura, “as he intensifies” the UN process towards “a lasting and dignified political solution for the people of Western Sahara and the region”.
The former Spanish colony of Western Sahara was occupied by Morocco in 1975 despite the resistance of the Polisario Frontwith whom it remained at war until 1991, when both sides signed a cease-fire with a view to holding a referendum on self-determination, but differences over the elaboration of the census and the inclusion or not of Moroccan settlers has so far prevented its convocation.
On November 14, 2020, the Polisario Front declared the cease-fire with Morocco broken in response to a Moroccan military action against Saharawi activists in Guerguerat, in the agreed zone of détente, which was for the Saharawis a violation of the terms of the cease-fire.
The latest setback for the Saharawi independence fighters. has been the support of the Spanish government for the Moroccan autonomy plan made public on 18 March last in a letter to the Alaouite King Mohamed VI, a change of position described as a betrayal by the Polisario Front, which recalls that Spain is still de jure the administering power of Western Sahara.
