With political solution for sahara issue, referendum becomes obsolete, king Mohammed

Morocco's King Mohammed VI stressed this Wednesday in a speech delivered on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the Green March that unanimous support rallied nationwide for regional democracy as a political solution to the Sahara issue has made obsolete the referendum formula, proposed under the initial UN settlement plan.

The sovereign explained that in addition to the nationwide support to the regional democracy option as a formula for settling the Sahara issue, the referendum is further becoming obsolete as the international community is recognizing the progress accomplished by Morocco in its southern provinces.

"The nation's unanimous support for the regional democracy option, along with the world-wide recognition of the progress we have achieved in the democratic experience, have generated broader international support for the relevance of our position advocating a political solution to end the artificial dispute sparked off by the recovering of our Sahara," said the sovereign before stressing that "this solution, which preserves the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom, makes the proposed referendum provided for under the UN settlement plan, obsolete because it would be unrealizable in practical terms.

This is a fact which emerged clearly from the latest UN Security Council Resolution on the subject. It was further corroborated by the increasing number of people flocking back home in response to the "call from the beneficent and merciful mother country," which is still welcoming with open arms those of its sons who have freed themselves from the shackles of detention and subjugation, the king went on.

The king further urged in his speech for the release of all Moroccans still sequestered in the Polisario secessionists-controlled camps. "Though delighted with their return, the nation is eager to set free those who are still held hostage in contempt of all international conventions and human values," the sovereign said before underscoring "it is my most cherished hope to see all Moroccans enjoy the blessings of freedom and dignity, while thoroughly fulfilling their obligations as citizens and contributing positively to the development of their country."