Kenya's Support for Moroccan Autonomy
The Republic of Kenya has recently reaffirmed its support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco as a viable and credible solution to the ongoing dispute over the Moroccan Sahara. This declaration was made during the inaugural session of the Morocco-Kenya Joint Cooperation Commission, which took place in Nairobi. The session was co-chaired by Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, and Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Musalia Mudavadi. The discussions highlighted Kenya's commitment to collaborating with other like-minded nations to facilitate the implementation of this autonomy plan.
In a joint communiqué released at the conclusion of the meeting, Kenya acknowledged the increasing international consensus regarding the autonomy plan, crediting the momentum to the efforts of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco. The communiqué described this autonomy initiative as the only realistic and credible resolution to the Sahara dispute. Furthermore, Kenya characterized the autonomy proposal as a sustainable strategy for addressing the regional conflict, indicating its intention to work closely with nations that share similar views to advance its execution.
Additionally, Kenya applauded the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2797, which underscores the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty as a basis for achieving a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable resolution to the dispute. The Kenyan government expressed its endorsement of the efforts led by the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to foster negotiations aligned with the autonomy framework.
Morocco, in turn, welcomed Kenya's endorsement of the United Nations as the sole mechanism for attaining a lasting political solution to the Sahara issue. The Moroccan government expressed gratitude for Kenya’s recognition of ongoing collaboration with the UN to further the political process based on pertinent Security Council resolutions. This alignment with Kenya’s position reflects the broader global trend of increasing support for Morocco's autonomy plan as the authentic solution to the regional dispute.
Notably, several European nations, including the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Belgium, and Finland, have also expressed robust support for Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara and the proposed autonomy plan. The European Union has adopted a unified stance backing Morocco’s autonomy initiative, as reaffirmed during the recent 15th EU-Morocco Association Council session in Brussels. The collective agreement among the 27 EU-member states recognizes genuine autonomy as one of the most feasible solutions for resolving the regional dispute.
Moreover, over 20 countries have established consulates in the southern Moroccan cities of Laayoune and Dakhla, while more than 110 UN member states have voiced their endorsement of the Autonomy Plan as a credible and serious foundation for achieving a lasting political settlement. This growing international support signals a shift towards a more cohesive approach in addressing the complexities surrounding the Moroccan Sahara conflict.
As reported by thenationonlineng.net.
