Sierra Leone Reaffirms Support for Moroccan Autonomy Plan in Western Sahara
At the United Nations General Assembly, Sierra Leone has once again voiced its support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, a proposal aimed at bringing a peaceful resolution to the long-standing territorial dispute.
Speaking at a meeting of the Fourth Committee of the UN General Assembly in New York, Ambassador Amara Swa, Deputy Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the UN, emphasized his country’s backing for the autonomy initiative. He highlighted the Security Council’s recognition of the plan as “serious and credible” in its resolutions since 2007.
Ambassador Swa commended the socio-economic progress and infrastructure development witnessed in the southern provinces of Morocco. He noted that this positive trajectory has empowered local populations and significantly improved human development indicators in the region.
Furthermore, Sierra Leone expressed unwavering support for the ongoing political process spearheaded by the UN Secretary-General and facilitated by his Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura. This process seeks to achieve a realistic, pragmatic, and lasting political solution that is mutually acceptable to all parties involved.
Ambassador Swa reiterated Sierra Leone’s endorsement for the resumption of roundtable discussions, maintaining the same format and participants as outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2703. He believes this process can foster improved communication and pave the way for a peaceful settlement to the regional conflict.
The diplomat also lauded the role of the two Regional Human Rights Commissions in Laayoune and Dakhla, as well as Morocco’s engagement with the special procedures of the UN Human Rights Council, as highlighted in UN Security Council Resolution 2703.
Sierra Leone expressed its support for the UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO) and its contribution to maintaining peace and stability in the region. Ambassador Swa stressed the importance of continued support for the mission in carrying out its mandate of monitoring the ceasefire, as stipulated in UN Security Council Resolution 2703. He also commended Morocco’s ongoing cooperation with the UN mission.
Ambassador Swa called for all parties to uphold the ceasefire agreement, emphasizing that any violation constitutes a breach of Security Council resolutions and hinders the resumption of the political process.
He concluded by urging all parties to engage in good faith and in a spirit of compromise within the framework of the ongoing political process under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General.
This reaffirmation of support from Sierra Leone adds to the growing international momentum behind Morocco’s autonomy plan. The plan, which proposes a self-governing Western Sahara within the sovereignty of Morocco, has been lauded by many countries as a realistic and viable path to peace and stability in the region.
