King Mohammed VI presided over a working session at the Royal Palace in Rabat on Wednesday, November 4, focused on the period following the conclusion of the MINURSO mandate, the Royal
Office announced in a statement.
The sovereign issued instructions to manage the withdrawal of the UN mission, while reaffirming Morocco’s commitment to the ceasefire.
According to the statement, the meeting follows the United Nations Security Council’s decision on October 30 not to renew the mission’s mandate. Discussions centered on the measures to be taken for this new phase, prioritising the preservation of the kingdom’s territorial integrity, national security, and the well-being of the populations in the southern provinces.
The King directed the relevant officials to implement these directives with firmness and vigilance, each within their respective areas of responsibility.
He also emphasised the continued implementation of the development program for the southern provinces – along with its associated structural projects – and underscored the need to closely
monitor developments regarding the issue at all levels.
Withdrawal coordinated with the UN
The Coordination Office with MINURSO, which operates under the Ministry of the Interior, has been tasked with coordinating and facilitating the mission’s liquidation and withdrawal.
The RoyalOffice stated that the objective is to ensure a smooth and orderly departure, conducted in a spirit of responsibility and cooperation with the UN.
Regarding security, the statement emphasizes that Morocco’s commitment to the ceasefire remains unchanged, despite the end of the mandate.
The Royal Office notes, however, that the circumstances under which the mission was established, as well as its original functions, are now obsolete. It further criticizes the mission for its repeated
failure to monitor compliance with the ceasefire or to address the consequences of its violations.
The monarch further reaffirmed the kingdom’s commitment to upholding its international obligations and maintaining peace, while safeguarding its sovereignty.
The statement highlights international support for Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara and for the autonomy initiative – a proposal presented by Rabat as the only political solution capable of resolving this regional dispute.
Participants in this working session included the head of government, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri; Royal Advisor Fouad Ali El Himma; Minister of the Interior Abdelouafi Laftit; and Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces and Commander of the Southern Zone.
AK/fss/as/APA