On Monday in Rabat, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Abroad, Nasser Bourita, reaffirmed that Morocco rejects the proposal from the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy, Staffan de Mistura, concerning the division of the Sahara.
During a joint press conference with his Estonian counterpart, Margus Tsahkna, Bourita clarified that the idea of dividing the Sahara had been raised in the past, but the Kingdom would not negotiate on this matter.
Bourita stated that « Morocco was aware of the mentioned proposal in the report presented by De Mistura to the Security Council and reiterated its rejection during his visit to Morocco last April. »
He emphasized that Morocco’s stance is based on the instructions of King Mohammed VI, who has rejected the idea of dividing the Sahara since 2002 when it was proposed by James Baker at Algeria’s initiative.
The minister added that « the Kingdom will not negotiate over its sovereignty over the Sahara, nor over the lands that belong to it. »
He stressed that Morocco considers any discussion of a dispute with Algeria regarding territorial sovereignty unacceptable, asserting that Morocco’s sovereignty over the southern regions is not up for debate.
In this context, Bourita emphasized that such ideas, which he described as « unacceptable and not open for discussion, » contradict the beliefs of the Moroccan people.
He added: « The southern regions are an integral part of the Kingdom’s territory, and we will not even accept hearing such proposals. »
