Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, views Morocco’s plan for autonomy for the Western Sahara as “the only credible and serious basis” to end the long-running dispute in that region.
Speaking in Tangiers on Wednesday at the opening of the 15th edition of the MEDays International Forum, he said Dominica is in full support of the “Moroccan Autonomy Plan.”
“I wish to congratulate His Majesty King Mohammed VI for his leadership and the major diplomatic triumph that Morocco has been achieving with regards to the Sahara issue,” Skerrit said.
Morocco regards the Western Sahara as its own and has been in control of the territory since the mid-1970s when colonial power Spain left that region. However, the Polisario Front founded in 1973, and described by Britannica as a “politico-military organization in Western Sahara”, wants it to be a fully independent state called the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and has fought a bitter 15-year war with Morocco which ended in a 1991 ceasefire deal.
Morocco has offered limited self-government there — but insists it must keep sovereignty in the region which is rich in phosphates and which has a long Atlantic coast with rich fishing waters. It said the plan is not definitive but rather aimed at pushing negotiations forward to find “a mutually acceptable political solution.”
Although it was rejected by the Polisario, the plan for limited autonomy for the Western Sahara has been gaining international traction and it was a point that Skerrit reiterated. He stated that support around the globe for the plan has been getting “louder and stronger,” adding that he was honored to add his voice to those seeking unity and sovereignty.
The prime minister also thanked Morocco, on behalf of the people of Dominica and the entire Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), for its support, especially in the fields of agriculture and education.
“We value the strong ties which have developed between our two regions over the years and welcome every opportunity to strengthen relations, collaborate on matters of mutual interest, and increase our cooperation,” he stated.
The MEDays International Forum is attended by over 250 speakers, political and economic decision-makers, and more than 5,000 participants representing nearly 100 countries.
Independent countries enjoy the luxury or neutrality, but when you are a beggar, the enemies of your benefactor become your enemies. My Polisario peeps started ghosting me. It’s called the price of dependence.
Wonder which side he will take in the Israel/Hamas or Russia/Ukraine conflicts.
Cockroach have no right in chicken coop.
Occupation is wrong!!!!! Free the Sahrawis!!! Free Gaza!!! The world is in shambles when we sit by idly watching evil corrupting men and enabling crimes against humanity. God Is Love. Not War!!! Free Gaza Mi Seh!!! Mines eyes are open….the wicked shall be judged….even by men. It hurts to see the lack of respect skerrit has for intellectuals. how can you support occupation smh…..stupes…free them mi seh….
The illustrious Dominican Prime Minister supports a lot of countries just not his own, he is always taking vacations to other countries at taxpayers expense seeking money for his bank account camouflaging the trip as a fact finding mission. No wonder the Dominican people are broke with no job.
I love Morocco ; but as far as Western Sahara is concerned :
Why would this former Spanish colony belong to Morocco rather than to the natives themselves (the Sahrawi people), or to Mauritania, or to Algeria…?
It is as if, after independence from England, DA would have become a French possession instead of being the nation of the sovereign Dominican people !!!
What does the DA government know about the history of this Western Sahara ?
Oh ; we need Moroco’s financial help ! let us be on their side then !
But wait nuh, if the big red chief was by the Saudis the other day, and now is by the Moroccans, who made de decision to pay the bus drivers? You mean to tell me that other people run things too?
But wait nuh, if the big chief is in Morocco, and was by the Saudis the other day, who make de decision to pay the bus drivers? You mean to tell me other people run things too?
Reminds me of when folks used to overstay in the VI’s but seriously, It’s ok, take what you can from these fellas but don’t forget you are throwing support behind one foreigner or another on African soil, on the African continent.
They all invaded East and North Africa from Egypt to Morocco during the so-called “great” jihad that conquered and turned all of North & East Africa into Islam.
Better yet, think long term, brainstorm a phosphate deal from Them, it’s going to be like gold (wink wink) the world’s supply is dwindling.