Morocco reiterates that Sahara issue is a matter of perfection of territorial integrity, not decolonization

Morocco reiterated to the United Nations that the Sahara issue is a matter of perfection of its territorial integrity and not one of decolonization.

Morocco insisted on this stance in a written explanatory note released by the Moroccan delegate to the UN, Ahmed Snoussi, following the adoption by the UN political and decolonization issues commission of a draft resolution.

The draft calls the two parties (Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario secessionists) to carry on their collaboration with the secretary general and his special envoy and to avoid any initiative that would endanger the Sahara settlement plan and related agreements.

The Moroccan diplomat said Morocco does not consider itself bound by the draft resolution. He added that the Security Council is supervising the referendum process and has adopted a series of legal documents and resolutions for the process.

After he renewed Morocco's will to cooperate with the bodies designated by the Security Council to conduct a fair, transparent and democratic referendum, Snoussi voiced hope that officials in charge of refugees would register and protect them to enable them participate in the voting without any pressure.

"My government wants all those who have inhabited or are living in the territory or those who have blood links to express their will in the respect of the self-determination principle to perfect Morocco's territorial integrity."

Morocco also wishes that the referendum would contribute to bringing about stability, concord and fraternity in the kingdom and the region.