Morocco's major political parties have rallied behind King Mohammed VI, reaffirming their commitment to the country's territorial integrity in the Western Sahara dispute. The parties, including the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), Istiqlal, the Justice and Development Party (PJD), and others, commended the Royal Cabinet's latest statement on the national cause. They stressed the importance of continued diplomatic efforts to secure international support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan.
The Autonomy Plan proposes self-government for the Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty. The PAM welcomed the Royal Cabinet's statement, describing it as a reflection of the King's wisdom in managing the issue. The party also praised Unity Day, a symbol of national cohesion and a shift in approach to the dispute. This show of unity among Morocco's political parties comes amid recent developments in the Western Sahara dispute.
Istiqlal emphasized the need to move beyond the political status quo, arguing that the end of the previous UN political process could provide fresh momentum for Morocco's diplomatic efforts. The party claimed that the Autonomy Plan has secured support from two-thirds of UN member states, including permanent members of the Security Council and influential regional and international powers.
The PJD voiced its full support for the Royal Cabinet's statement, reaffirming its commitment to the King's efforts to protect Morocco's sovereignty and territorial unity. Other parties, such as the Popular Movement, called for a change in the UN's role, including the removal of the Western Sahara dispute from the UN agenda and the end of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).
The Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) described autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the only political option capable of resolving the dispute. The party argued that the impasse at the Security Council exposed the limits of the UN's approach. The USFP reaffirmed its support for measures that protect Morocco's territorial integrity.
The Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) focused on the draft UN resolution, which it said was an endorsement of Morocco's position. The party welcomed the recognition of autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the sole framework for negotiations. It urged parties to engage seriously with the new political process and work toward a definitive solution.
The Constitutional Union hailed Morocco's diplomatic gains, crediting King Mohammed VI's leadership with expanding international support for the Autonomy Plan. The statements from Morocco's major political parties reflect a common position: continued support for the King's diplomatic efforts, rejection of the status quo, and a push for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as the basis for a political settlement.
Key points
- Morocco's main political parties reaffirm support for the Autonomy Plan under Moroccan sovereignty.
- The parties call for a shift in the UN's approach to the Western Sahara dispute.
- The Autonomy Plan proposes self-government for the Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty.
