The Republic of Guinea has expressed its firm support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara, whose credibility is reflected in all Security Council resolutions.
Speaking before the members of the Fourth Committee (4C) of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Guinea to the United Nations (UN), Paul Goa Zoumanigui, expressed his country’s “firm belief in the Moroccan Autonomy Plan, whose credibility is reflected in all Security Council resolutions and recognized by more than a hundred UN member states.”
Zoumanigui noted that this initiative, which is in line with international law, the UN Charter, and Security Council resolutions, ensures the promotion and protection of human rights in the Sahara region.
The Guinean diplomat highlighted the socio-economic development undertaken by Morocco in the Southern provinces, in addition to the organization of general legislative, communal, and regional elections throughout its national territory, including the Moroccan Sahara.
The ambassador also praised the initiatives of the United Nations Secretary-General’s (UNSG) Personal Envoy, Staffan de Mistura, notably his recent visits to the region between July and September 2023, as well as the bilateral consultations he organized to facilitate the relaunch of the political dialogue process involving Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the “polisario”.
The diplomat stressed that his country supports the regular holding of round-table discussions like those held in Geneva, with the participation of all relevant parties.
Recalling the human rights situation in the Tindouf camps in southwest Algeria, Zoumanigui strongly condemned the violations of children and women’s rights in these camps, “for which some parties to the conflict have often been guilty”.
“These actions are contrary to the ideals of the United Nations and can only benefit terrorism and undermine Morocco’s efforts to promote peace,” emphasized the Guinean diplomat, calling on all parties involved in this regional dispute to fully commit, in a spirit of realism and compromise, to achieving an acceptable, pragmatic, and lasting solution to the conflict over the Moroccan Sahara.
Guinea’s ambassador also expressed his country’s gratitude to Morocco for facilitating the opening of the Guinean Consulate General in Dakhla, noting that this was an opportunity to strengthen relations of friendship and cooperation with the Kingdom.
