Dakhla Conference Bolsters Moroccan Sovereignty Over Sahara

The city of Dakhla is currently the focal point of a significant political gathering, hosting the third Political Conference of the Alliance for Autonomy in the Sahara (AUSACO). This event, spanning two days, is taking place under a backdrop of strengthened international recognition for Morocco's proposed autonomy plan for the Sahara region.

The recent UN Security Council Resolution 2797, which endorses the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the sole political solution to the regional dispute, provides a crucial impetus for the conference. The gathering brings together prominent figures from diplomatic, political, academic, media, and civil society spheres, underscoring the broad-based support for the autonomy plan.

Discussions during the conference will delve into the intricacies of the autonomy framework, with participants also undertaking field visits to key infrastructure projects. These visits, part of the New Development Model for the Southern Provinces, will showcase the socio-economic progress in the Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab region, notably highlighting the development of the Atlantic Dakhla port.

From a Moroccan perspective, this conference in Dakhla is a powerful affirmation of national sovereignty and the viability of the autonomy plan. The participation of over 3,000 international members of AUSACO—comprising politicians, parliamentarians, diplomats, academics, journalists, and lawyers—demonstrates the global advocacy for Morocco's position. The framing of the autonomy plan as the "only political solution" by the UN Security Council is a significant diplomatic victory, and this conference serves to consolidate and amplify that message, reinforcing Morocco's narrative on the international stage and showcasing tangible development within the region.