Senegal renews at OAU refusal of sahara partitioning proposal
Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 3/25/2002

Senegalese foreign minister, Cheikh Tidiane Gadio, underscored before his peers at the Organization of African Unity (OAU) that the draft framework-agreement proposed by the UN secretary general's personal envoy for the Sahara, James Baker, and which enjoy the adherence of most influential countries is "the most adapted political solution" to the Sahara issue.

After he called African foreign ministers meeting in the 75th session of the OAU foreign ministers council to show "serenity and restraint" in handling the Sahara issue, the head of the Senegalese diplomacy explained that the draft framework agreement, more commonly known as third path, was supported by most influential countries which are convinced that the UN settlement plan for the Sahara was dangerously bogging down.

Cheikh Tidiane Gadio said Senegal sees that the third path (an alternative that gives the Sahara population large autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty) is the most adapted solution as the initial settlement plan faced several difficulties related to the identification of eligible voters and as Morocco has categorically refused the idea of partitioning its territory.

After he expressed Senegal's "firm adherence to the implementation of James Baker's plan in consultation between all concerned parties to reach a peaceful way out to the Sahara issue, the Senegalese foreign minister urged for avoiding any option that will lead to further obstacles with a view to reaching stability in Africa's northern sub-region.

The framework agreement seems as the most adapted solution, especially that Morocco said it does not consider the proposal as a final one and that it is ready to start with Algeria and the Polisario a sincere and frank dialogue to reach a final and lasting solution, he further stressed.

Senegal is convinced that the present situation in the Sahara will only be settled by a comprehensive political arrangement and that at a time the African Union has become a reality, Senegal remains attached to the preservation of Morocco's territorial integrity and national sovereignty, he said before arguing that the latest report of the UN secretary general shows how much the task of the UN mission in the Sahara (MINURSO) is complex and seems to favor the political solution as the Security council resolution adopted in February evinces the world body preference for a political solution after the referendum process has faced several hardships.

Humanitarian aspects of the issue were also highlighted by the Senegalese foreign minister who urged the international community to solve this situation. Quoting Annan's report, he said the situation of refugees and the case of Moroccan prisoners held in Tindouf camps (southwestern Algeria) are a source of concern for Morocco. He further called for speeding up and intensifying the release of Moroccan prisoners, some of whom are detained for over 20 years, if the humanitarian aspects associated to this conflict are to resolved in a rapid manner.

Senegal appealed to the OAU member states to use all their influence so that the Sahara issue which continues to seriously impede North Africa's development finds a final solution under the UN auspices, stressing that concerned countries need stability to conduct their joint openness endeavors, which is so constructive and promises to be laden in richness.

In the absence of Morocco which walked out of the OAU in 198888888 to protest the illegal admission of the so-called Sahara republic, several other African countries took the floor to support the draft framework-agreement.

Previous Stories:
  Senegal supports Morocco's territorial integrity   (3/1/2002)
  King Mohammed VI Receives Message from Senegalese President   (10/8/2001)
  Morocco, Senegal poised to bolster cooperation   (8/9/2001)

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