Moroccan parliamentarian Mohamed Salem Benmasoud, representing the city of Laayoune, addressed the 153rd General Assembly of the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Arusha, Tanzania. He emphasized that the Western Sahara issue falls exclusively under the United Nations' jurisdiction, criticizing Algerian attempts to introduce the matter at the international parliamentary gathering. Benmasoud stressed that the UN Security Council has endorsed Morocco's Autonomy Initiative as the sole and definitive basis for resolving the conflict.
During his speech, Benmasoud highlighted the humanitarian situation and human rights abuses faced by detainees in Tindouf camps on Algerian territory. He questioned the continued disregard for these issues and Algeria's persistent refusal to conduct an official census of camp residents, despite repeated UN appeals. As a representative of the Moroccan parliament and a native of Western Sahara, Benmasoud conveyed the voice of the region's inhabitants, who manage their affairs within elected institutions and live in a democratic process.
Benmasoud also underscored the deep connection between the population of Morocco's southern provinces and their country, reaffirming their strong attachment to their national identity. On behalf of the region's residents, he reiterated their commitment to Morocco's sacred constants. The IPU assembly, attended by a Moroccan delegation led by Senate President Sidi Mohamed Ould Errachid, focuses on promoting good governance and empowering communities through integration, trust, and equal opportunities.
The Moroccan delegation's participation in the IPU event is significant, as it allows for the country's perspective on the Western Sahara issue to be presented on an international platform. Benmasoud's intervention aimed to set the record straight and counterbalance Algerian efforts to internationalize the dispute. Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara has been a longstanding subject of contention, with Algeria supporting the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the territory.
The IPU assembly brings together parliamentarians from around the world to discuss pressing global issues. In this context, Benmasoud's address served as a reminder that the Western Sahara issue requires a solution grounded in the UN's framework and the Autonomy Initiative. By reiterating Morocco's commitment to a peaceful resolution, Benmasoud sought to reinforce the country's position on the matter.
The humanitarian situation in Tindouf camps has been a concern for the international community, with reports of human rights abuses and living conditions that are often harsh. Benmasoud's comments drew attention to the plight of those detained in the camps and the need for a resolution to the conflict that prioritizes the well-being of the affected populations.
The Moroccan parliamentarian's intervention at the IPU assembly reflects the country's ongoing efforts to address the Western Sahara issue through diplomatic channels. By engaging with the international community and presenting Morocco's perspective, Benmasoud and the Moroccan delegation aimed to promote a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict.
Key points
- Moroccan parliamentarian Mohamed Salem Benmasoud rejects Algerian attempts to raise Western Sahara issue at International Parliamentary Union assembly.
