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The autonomy initiative for the kingdom’s southern provinces has gained international consensus to resolve the Moroccan Sahara issue, Comorian Ambassador to Rabat Yahya Mohamed Ilias affirmed on Thursday, lauding the region’s ongoing development and stability.
Speaking to MAP on the sidelines of a conference organized by the Sahara Forum for Dialogue and Cultures under the theme “The Moroccan Sahara Issue: From the Management Phase to the Change Phase,” Ilias underscored the significant progress being witnessed across the southern provinces.
The Comorian diplomat urged international stakeholders to visit Morocco’s southern provinces to witness firsthand the sweeping development taking place across all sectors. He also commended the Kingdom’s diplomatic successes under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, recalling that the Union of the Comoros was the first country to open a consulate general in Laayoune in December 2019.
Djibouti’s Ambassador to Rabat, Mohamed Douhour Hersi, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the extensive development projects spearheaded by the Kingdom in its southern regions.
He noted that Djibouti, among the early nations to establish a consular presence in the Moroccan Sahara with its mission in Dakhla, actively engages in activities taking place in the kingdom’s southern provinces, providing an opportunity to witness the ongoing development and achievements.
The conference, held in conjunction with National Civil Society Day (March 13) and in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of the Green March, featured detailed presentations on transformative development initiatives. Key sectors highlighted included infrastructure, water resources, higher education, innovation, healthcare, social protection, and sports.
During this event, attended by African dignitaries and ambassadors accredited to Morocco, contributions came from institutions such as the High Commission for Former Resistance Fighters and Former Members of the Liberation Army, the High Commission for Planning, and the Sahara Forum for Dialogue and Cultures.
On this occasion, several civil society figures were honored for their dedication to the national cause.
MAP: 13 March 2025
