1884
Moroccan Sahara went under Spanish occupation.
March 13, 1895
Conclusion of the Moroccan-British Treaty “no power can lay claims to the lands that are between Oued Draâ and Cap Boujdour, because those lands belong to the territory of Morocco”.
October 1903
Moroccan-Spanish Agreement included the region of Sakiat El Hamra within the Southern part of Morocco.
1912
Morocco under foreign occupation (France in the Center, Spain in the North, the South, including the Sahara, and a Council of 12 foreign powers governed the international zone of Tangier).
1956
Morocco got back the Center and North parts of the Kingdom as well as the international zone of Tangier.
1957/1958
Franco-Spanish coalition launched the Ecouvillon Operation against Moroccan National Liberation Army.
January 10, 1958
Spanish decree stipulating that the Moroccan Sahara is no more administered as part of West Africa but as a province of Spain.
April 1, 1958
Cintra Agreement announcing the liberation of Tarfaya.
1964
At the request of Morocco, Sahara issue is included in the agenda of the Special Committee of decolonization at the United Nations.
December 16, 1965
UN General Assembly resolution 2072 requesting Spain, as administering power, to take immediate action … and initiate negotiations for the liberation of the colonially dominated territories of Ifni and the Sahara.
1969
Fez Treaty declares the return of Ifni to the mother-land.
June 8, 1970
Treaty of Solidarity and Good Neighbourliness signed between the late King Hassan II and Mauritanian President Mokhtar Ould Daddah.
October 1974
Algerian President supports Morocco’s territorial claims (7th Arab Summit).
December 13, 1974
UN General Assembly resolution 3292 requesting an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice, in The Hague, on the legal status of the territory on the eve of the Spanish colonization and particularly its legal ties with Morocco and Mauritania.
October 16, 1975
ICJ Advisory Opinion on the Sahara: Sahara (Rio de Oro and Sakiat El Hamra) was not, at the time of colonization by Spain, a land belonging to no one (Terra nullius). There were ties of allegiance between the Sultan of Morocco and the tribes of Sahara.
October 22, 1975
UN Security Council resolution 377 recalling that parties “could enter into negotiations to peacefully resolve the dispute on the basis of Article 33 of the UN Charter”.
November 6, 1975
Organisation of the “Green March”.
November 14, 1975
Signature of Madrid Agreement between Morocco, Spain and Mauritania.
December 10, 1975
General Assembly takes note of the provisions of the Madrid Agreement (resolution 3458 / B).
February 26, 1976
Opinion of Jemaâ approving the Sahara decolonization and reintegration in Morocco and Mauritania.
February 27, 1976
Proclamation of the pseudo “sadr”.
April 14, 1976
Morocco-Mauritania Agreement.
August 14, 1979
Recuperation of the Province of Oued Addahab.
June 26, 1981
Acceptance by Morocco, in Nairobi, of the organization of a referendum in the Sahara.
February 22, 1982
“sadr” is admitted in the OAU.
November 1984
Withdrawal of Morocco from the OAU.
July 8, 1987
Opinion of the Office of Legal Affairs of the ECOSOC in response to Morocco’s question on the pre-eminence of procedural rules in case of a joint meeting between the UN and a regional intergovernmental organization: “In the case of a joint meeting between the ECA and a regional intergovernmental organization, the ECA, as a subsidiary organ of the UN, must comply with the decisions of the bodies to which it belongs, namely the General Assembly and ECOSOC”.
August 30, 1988
Acceptance by the parties of the propositions of the UN General Secretary, adopted by the SC in the resolution 621 (cease-fire, Settlement plan).
June 18, 1990
SG Report S/21360 suggesting the Settlement Plan.
April 26, 1991
UN Security Council resolution 690 decides to constitute, under its authority, a United Nations Mission for the Organization of a Referendum in the Sahara (MINURSO) whose mandate includes monitoring the cease-fire and organizing the referendum.
September 3, 1991
Letter from His Majesty King Hassan II to UN SG asking to take “urgent measures so as things get back to their initial situation, including the removal from the territory of these armed gangs”.
September 6, 1991
Proclamation of the cease-fire.
December 19, 1991
SG Report suggesting the five criteria of identification.
December 12, 1993
Counting process of the people entitled to vote.
December 22, 1995
Suspension of the identification process.
March 17, 1997
Nomination of James Baker as Personal Envoy of the UN General Secretary to Sahara.
September 16, 1997
Signature of Houston Agreement.
September 3, 1998
Completion of the identification process. 147,000 people have been identified. The problem of Sahraouis living abroad, as well as members of groups H41 (Ait-Oussa), H61 (Azouafit), J51 (Ait-Oussa, Ait-Boumeggout) and J52 (Inzouen) disputed by the “polisario” remained pending.
February 17, 2000
SG Report (S/2000/131) in which M. Annan explicitly questioned the applicability of the Settlement Plan.
May 14 / June 28, 2000
London talks under the auspices of M. James Baker.
May 31, 2000
Adoption by the SC of the resolution 1301 extending the mandate of MINURSO to July 31, 2000 and asking the parties to submit to Mr. Baker concrete proposals to overcome the obstacles standing before the Settlement Plan.
May 22, 2001
Letter of the Algerian President to the SG and his Personal Envoy. The Algerian government rejects all the propositions included in the Framework Agreement. The letter states also that “by rejecting Algeria’s objections, the Secretariat decides simply to ignore the perspective of an important actor.”
May 30, 2001
Letter of the “polisario” to the SG rejecting also the Framework Agreement.
June 20, 2001
SG Report (S/2001/613) in which it is suggested to consider the principle of the third way, and proposed the “Framework Agreement” on the status of the Sahara. “This agreement may be the last chance for the coming years”. Algeria is invited “to participate to the consultation as a part and to negotiate any changes it wishes to make …”
June 29, 2001
SC resolution 1359 extending the mandate of the MINURSO till November 30, 2001. Furthermore, the SC encouraged the parties “to discuss the Framework Agreement and to negotiate any changes they would like to include”.
November 2, 2001
Algeria presented, in Houston, a project of partition of the territory.
November 2001
His Majesty the King visits the Sahara.
December 2001
“polisario” imposes restrictions to the MINURSO’s moves.
February 12, 2002
Legal opinion of the UN Legal Adviser on the legality of oil exploration in the Sahara. (S/2002/161)
February 19, 2002
SG Report (S/2002/178) containing the 4 options proposed by the SG so as to resolve the problem (application of the Settlement Plan without the consent of the parties, revision of the Framework Agreement on a non-negotiable basis, partition of the territory, definitive withdrawal of the MINURSO).
January 30, 2003
Resolution 1463, extending the mandate of the MINURSO, so as to give the parties time to consider the SG Personal Envoy’s proposal.
February 26, 2003
Algeria’s letter to the Secretary General. “Algeria supports this plan”.
March 8, 2003
“polisario” ’s letter supporting the Peace Plan.
March 10, 2003
Morocco’s letter to the SG’s Personal Envoy. Morocco “sticks to the political solution, always presented as a compromise consisting of autonomy within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty”.
May 23, 2003
SG report (S/2003/565) suggesting a “peace plan for the self-determination of the population of Sahara”.
This plan incorporates the idea of autonomy but it limits it to five years, after which “we will be talking of a referendum, the same as that provided by the settlement plan”.
July 30, 2002
SC resolution 1429 “after the review of the 4 proposals contained in the SG’s report (S/2002/178) and because of the persistence of differences between the two parties, the SC invites the SG to continue his efforts to reach a just and lasting political solution”.
July 30, 2003
Resolution 1495 in which the Security Council “supports the peace plan, as an optimal solution agreed upon by the parties”.
April 23, 2004
The Kingdom’s response saying that “if the political solution consists in autonomy, then it could not accept that independence would be an option right after the transition period”.
April 29, 2004
Resolution 1541 endorsing the search for a political solution acceptable by both parties, and extending the mandate of MINURSO to a period of six months till October 31, 2004.
May 2004
Algerian President’s letter to the so-called Mohammed Abdelaziz “Algeria supports that case…so as to help Sahraoui population as well as all peoples to get back their freedom and independence”.
June 11, 2004
Resignation of the SG’s Personal Envoy M. James Baker.
August 17, 2004
Algerian President’s letter to the UN SG about “the conflict involving the sahraoui people and the occupying power, i.e., Morocco”. “In this matter, Algeria is only acting as a member of the UN”.
September 24, 2004
A clarification memorandum sent by Morocco to the UN, explaining the involvement of Algeria in the conflict.
October 18, 2004
Adoption by the SC of the Resolution 1570, confirming the judgment of the SG on the current impasse and extending the mandate of MINURSO to 6 months, till April 30, 2005.
April 28, 2005
SC Resolution 1598 extending the mandate of MINURSO to October 31, 2005 and requesting again “the parties and States of the region to fully cooperate with the United Nations to end the current impasse and progress towards a political solution”.
July 25, 2005
Appointment by the SG of the Dutch Peter Van Walsum as his Personal Envoy for the Sahara with a mandate to “consult with the parties and States of the region so as to resolve the current impasse …”
September 23, 2005
Letter from Morocco to SC (attached to the report S/2005/602) stating that “the record of serious violations of the rights of Moroccan detainees in Algerian territory remains open, including the many people who have succumbed to inhuman and degrading treatment by their torturers”. The letter also called on the international community regarding the need to conduct a census of the populations of Tindouf camps.
October 13 & 14, 2005
Visit of Peter Van Walsum to Morocco. He was received by His Majesty the King Mohamed VI.
November 6, 2005
His Majesty the King’s speech “We have decided that political parties shall be consulted. The goal is to find out, in practical terms, about their perception of autonomy within the framework of the Kingdom’s sovereignty, ahead of preparing and presenting the Moroccan proposal in this respect”.
January 18, 2006
The presentation by Mr. V. Walsum before the Security Council can be summarized in the following 4 axes:
· Confirmation of the invalidity of the Baker Plan;
· Call for the initiation of negotiations without preconditions;
· Need to balance between political realities and legal requirements; and
· – Need for Algeria’s involvement in the negotiations.
January 26, 2006
The Minister’s letter to the UN SG shading light on the other parties’ activities in the eastern side of the Wall. “The Kingdom of Morocco considers that all these activities are completely illegal, for those who perform them have no authority to do so”.
February 8, 2006
Abdelaziz sent a letter to the President of the Security Council about the status of the buffer zone “there was and there is always a liberated zone of the Sahara’s territory” and about the autonomy project seen as “a headlong rush”.
It is the Ambassador of Namibia who transmitted this letter to the SC.
February 11, 2006
Floods in the Tindouf camps. According to an HCR communiqué, 50 000 refugees (in Awserd camps) were homeless.
February 13 to 17, 2006
M. V. Walsum’s visit to some capital cities related with this matter.
February 20, 2006
The Algerian President’s letter to UN Secretary General. It is “a conflict between Morocco and the sahraoui population”.
February 24, 2006
Verbal note from the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom to the SG attracting again his attention to “the seriousness of the actions of other parties in the buffer zone”. Morocco considers any activity in this area illegal and a sign of “provocation”. Morocco requested the SG to “take steps … and prevent …” events that the “polisario” had the intention to organize on February 28, 2006.
February 26, 2006
The Algerian President’s letter, in the occasion of 30th anniversary of the so-called “sadr”, to the mercenary Abdelaziz, delivered by the Minister of Mujahideen, Mohamed Cherif Abbas, and the Minister in charge of the Maghreb Affairs, Abdelkader Messahel, expressing the support of Algeria to the principle of self-determination of the “sahraoui population”.
March 9, 2006
The European Parliament confirms the legality of the Fisheries Agreement signed between Morocco and the EU. The legal department questioned by the EP Development Committee at the request of Britain, Sweden and Denmark concluded that the agreement “is not against international law”.
March 14, 2006
“polisario”’s letter to the Security Council concerning the Royal visit to the southern provinces. “This visit constitutes a unilateral decision of an utmost gravity”. “The autonomy proposition is totally rejected by the “polisario” front and can, in no way, be considered as an alternative to the international legality, to the settlement plan or to Baker plan”.
March 16, 2006
Signature by the “polisario” of 8 “contracts” with British companies for oil prospecting on shore and off shore.
March 20, 2006
His Majesty the King’s visit to the southern provinces.
March 25, 2006
Setting up of the CORCAS.
April 5, 2006
His Majesty the King’s letter to the Secretary General reiterating Morocco’s commitment to a political solution and informing him about the process of national and local consultations in preparation for the submission by the Kingdom of an autonomy project within the framework of the territorial integrity and the national unity of the Kingdom of Morocco.
June 2, 2006
Letter of the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom to the Secretary General about the situation in the camps of Tindouf.
June 19, 2006
Letter from Van Walsum to the parties: “the search for a consensual solution does not indicate a lack of respect for international law because international law is broader than the resolution 1514”. “A negotiated political solution is the only alternative to the indefinite prolongation of the impasse”. “The option of negotiations will sooner or later be considered”. “Negotiations without preconditions do not mean negotiations without principles”.
June 26, 2006
The Secretary General’s letter to the members of the Security Council “I would like to suggest that members of the Security Council use the next four months to prepare for a more substantial resolution on the situation in Sahara”.
September 6 to 9, 2006
Visit of M. Van Walsum to the region: Morocco (September 6 – 8) and Mauritania (September 9).
September 6, 2006
Algeria sent a memorandum on the Sahara issue to countries member of the Non-Aligned Movement, which it also presented before the 61st session of the General Assembly. The Algerian document recalls the same arguments (self-determination, the Settlement plan, Baker plan …)
September 2006
In response to the memorandum presented by Algeria, Morocco, concerned with the restitution of truth, addressed a memorandum to clarify some points in relation, namely, with the development of this issue within the United Nations, the responsibility of Algeria in the outbreak and persistence of this dispute, as well as Morocco’s commitment to find a political solution to it
September 15&16, 2006
During its last meeting at the Havana Summit, and for the first time since 1991, the Non-Aligned Movement neglected any reference to the Settlement plan or the Peace plan (Baker II) as a solution to the Sahara issue, and the adoption of a new text within the context of the new dynamics advocated by the international community.
October 7, 2006
In a letter to the OHCHR, Morocco denounced the inherently biased content of the report of the OHCHR Mission in the Moroccan Sahara and Tindouf as well as its fundamentally political recommendations in phase with the total course of the mission.
October 13, 2006
The vote on the Algerian draft in the 4th Commission received only 76 voices for, 72 abstentions and 44 absences. The project makes the General Assembly in phase with the Security Council on this issue.
October 16, 2006
The Secretary General recommended to the Security Council, in its periodic report (S/2006/817), to call Morocco and “polisario” to negotiate without preconditions in order to reach a mutually acceptable political solution. Algeria and Mauritania shall be invited to these negotiations and shall be consulted separately on issues that directly affect them in the format that was followed by Baker. SG will submit other proposals on the format of negotiations, the role of the UN and other modalities.
October 31, 2006
The Security Council, unanimously, adopted resolution 1720 which, while extending the mandate of MINURSO, renewed its call “to the parties and States of the region to continue to fully cooperate with the United Nations so as to end the current impasse and move towards a political solution”.
November 6, 2006
On the occasion of the 31st anniversary of the glorious Green March, His Majesty King Mohammed VI said: “We are already at an advanced stage in the consultation process undertaken at the national and local levels.
In this regard, we welcome the new high sense of duty and high receptivity shown by political parties and their constructive suggestions to our Majesty. We would also like to pay tribute to the sincere and highly patriotic efforts of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs -CORCAS- President and members, both for defending the Moroccan Sahara and for preparing a project on how it sees autonomy so as to submit it to our Majesty in the coming weeks.
Thus, we will be completing the undertaken consultations with the broadest popular base possible, both locally and nationally, to develop the final version of Morocco’s proposal. This proposal translates the three basic orientations of our domestic and foreign policy.
At the international level, Morocco reaffirms, through this approach, its willingness to continue to faithfully honor its commitment to a fair and open cooperation with the UN, and with the Secretary General and his Personal Envoy, to help find a consensual political solution, collecting the serious engagement of all parties involved effectively in the conflict.”
December 5, 2006
CORCAS examined all the aspects linked to the autonomy project (institutional structures, skills, resources ..) and stressed the need for a project in line with the characteristics of the region and consistent with international norms and standards. It also reiterated that this option, fully assumed by the Kingdom, corresponds to the aspirations of the people of the region and meets the expectations of the international community. The Council’s reflection has been fed by visits to culturally and geographically close countries whose experiences in the field of autonomy have been put to use. The results of this reflection, democratically and unanimously approved by the members of the Council, were submitted to the very high attention of His Majesty the King.
December 14, 2006
The UN General Assembly voted for the Algerian resolution project on the Sahara: 70 for, 91 abstentions et 31 absences.
February 5, 2007
Beginning of the international campaign of information about the status of the Moroccan project of autonomy for the southern provinces of the Kingdom. Almost 40 countries visited.
April 9, 2007
Letter from Morocco to the UN Secretary General on the issue of human rights’ violations in the camps of Tindouf, and on Algeria’s responsibility concerning the violations occurring on its territory.
April 10, 2007
“polisario” submitted to the UN Secretary General a “proposition for political solution mutually accepted that foresees the Sahara’s self determination”.
April 11, 2007
The Kingdom’s Permanent Representative submitted a letter on “Moroccan Initiative for Negotiating an Autonomy Statute for the Sahara Region”.
April 13, 2007
The Secretary General mentioned in his periodic report (S/2007/202) that he received the “Moroccan Initiative for Negotiating an Autonomy Statute for the Sahara Region”. The SG recommends that the Security Council asks the parties, Morocco and “polisario”, to initiate negotiations without preconditions. Neighbouring countries, Algeria and Mauritania, should be invited to these negotiations and consulted separately on issues that directly concern them in the format that was applied during James Baker’s term.
April 20, 2007
The UN SG’s Personal Envoy for the Sahara, Peter Van Walsum, declared, just after consultations with members of the Security Council on Sahara, his limitless faith towards direct negotiations. And that “the parties are closer to political reality and more likely to inspire necessary political will and creativity to this process”. Moreover, Walsum said, “I believe that self-determination does not necessarily mean independence”.
April 27, 2007
Almost 170 members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to U.S. President George W. Bush, asking him to support the autonomy proposal presented by Morocco, calling it a “promising”, “historic” and “innovative”. This initiative, they say, “provides a realistic framework for a negotiated political solution” to the Sahara conflict.
April 30, 2007
The Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1754 which, while taking note of the Moroccan Initiative for Negotiating an Autonomy Statute for the Sahara Region, welcomed the serious and credible efforts made by Morocco to move forward toward resolving this issue. Similarly, the resolution “calls on the parties to engage in good faith negotiations without preconditions, taking into account the last months’ developments in order to achieve a political, just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution”.
May 14, 2007
The tour that the SG’s Personal Envoy intended to do in the area, in mid-May, was cancelled so as to prepare modalities of negotiations, because of “polisario”’s blackmail (meeting with Abdelaziz in Tifariti) and the absence of an appointment in Algiers.
June 18 & 19, 2007
The 1st round of negotiations was held in Manhasset (New York), under the auspices of the UN SG’s Personal Envoy.
July 27, 2007
Cape Verde froze its recognition of the so-called “sadr”.
July 30, 2007
His Majesty King Mohammed VI Speech on the occasion of the 8th anniversary of his accession to the throne: “Our territorial integrity is experiencing a turning point generated by the Moroccan Initiative for Negotiating an Autonomy Statute applicable to our southern provinces, under the Kingdom’s sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity”.
The support of influential powers within the international community, of brotherly and friendly countries, “helped the Moroccan Initiative to predominate and be included in the international agenda, as a modern type of determination, fully compliant, both in substance and form, with the international law”.
August 10 & 11, 2007
The 2nd round of negotiations in Manhasset (New York), under the auspices of the UN SG’s Personal Envoy.
October 31, 2007
Adoption of resolution 1783 by the Security Council which, taking note of the Moroccan Initiative for Negotiating an Autonomy Statute for the Sahara Region, welcomed, for the second time, “Morocco’s serious and credible efforts to move forward towards resolving” the issue. Similarly, the resolution calls “the parties to continue negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary General without preconditions and in good faith, taking into account the efforts made since 2006 and the developments in recent months in order to reach a political, just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution”.
November 6, 2007
Royal speech on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the Green March:
The autonomy proposal “reflects three basic directions of our domestic and foreign policy.
At the national level, (…) resolutely goes forward to consolidate our democratic structure through an advanced regionalization representing the backbone of the modern state (…).
At the North African and regional level (…) commitment to the unity of the Arab Maghreb and Our desire to spare the space, and the Sahel region as well as the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean, the risk of calamitous balkanization and instability, generated by the implantation of an artificial entity (…)
At the international level, Morocco reaffirms, through this approach, its willingness to continue to faithfully honor its commitment to a fair and open cooperation with the United Nations, its Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy, to help find a consensual political solution, collecting the serious membership of all parties involved effectively in the conflict”.
January 7 to 9, 2008
The 3rd round of negotiations in Manhasset (New York), under the auspices of the UN SG’s Personal Envoy.
March 17, 2008
Seychelles withdrew its recognition of the so-called “sadr”.
March 16 to 18, 2008
The 4th round of negotiations in Manhasset (New York), under the auspices of the UN SG’s Personal Envoy.
April 14, 2008
The report of the UN Secretary General (S/2008/251) on the Sahara called to find a solution to the political impasse on the basis of realism and compromise.
April 21, 2008
The UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy, Peter van Walsum, said that the independence of Sahara is, in his view, “not an achievable goal”.
April 28, 2008
Paraguay froze its recognition of the so-called “sadr”.
April 30, 2008
Adoption of resolution 1813 (2008) by the Security Council which, taking note of the Moroccan proposal for negotiating an autonomy statute for the Sahara region, welcomed the “serious and credible efforts made by Morocco to move the process forward towards resolving” the issue. Resolution 1813 (2008) calls on the parties to show “realism and a spirit of compromise”. It also calls on “the parties to continue negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary General without preconditions and in good faith, taking into account the efforts made since 2006 and the developments in recent months in order to reach a political, just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution”.
U.S. Ambassador Alejandro Wolff said “we share Van Walsum’s view concerning the fact that independent sahraoui state is not a realistic option for resolving the conflict and that genuine autonomy under the sovereignty of Morocco is the only feasible solution. We believe that the next rounds of negotiations should focus on the design of an autonomous regime mutually acceptable and consistent with the aspirations of the people”.
The French Ambassador M. Ripert said “the Security Council in its resolutions 1754 (2007) and 1783 (2007) unanimously welcomed the serious and credible efforts made by Morocco to produce an autonomy plan for Sahara”. “The autonomy plan proposed by Morocco is a basis for serious and constructive negotiations to reach a negotiated solution between the parties in respect of the principle of self-determination to which we are attached.”
May 5, 2008
The former head of the United Nations mission in Sahara (MINURSO), Erik Jensen, expressed his support for the views of the UN SG’s Personal Envoy, M. Peter Van Walsum, that “Sahara’s independence is not a realistic option”.
September 16, 2008
Malawi withdrew its recognition of the so-called “sadr”.
November 6, 2008
Royal speech on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of the Green March:
“A new approach based on a collective deep conviction, bearing in mind that all Moroccans are supporting the Sahara issue. This innovative approach relies also on good local governance for our southern provinces, and broad participation in the management of our national cause (…)
(…) At the International level, it is an approach that made Morocco the only country to respond to the call launched, in the late 90s, by the international community to all parties involved, so that they take initiatives to break the impasse (…)
This solution, which is in a third way, definitively eliminates all previous proposals of settlement after they proved to be, for objective reasons, inappropriate and inapplicable in the view of international community.”
November 21, 2008
Vanuatu withdrew its recognition of the so-called “sadr”.
December 5, 2008
The General Assembly resolution (63/105) supports the negotiations process initiated by resolution 1754 (2007) and encourages the parties to cooperate with the International Committee of the Red Cross and to fulfil their obligations.
January 1, 2009
Appointment of Christpher ROSS as Personal Envoy of Ban Ki-Moon in the Sahara.
February 18 to 24, 2009
Christopher Ross began his first visit to the region to contact the parties, know their positions on the next phase of negotiations and examine the conditions of the organizations of a 5th round of negotiations.
Morocco has reiterated to the Personal Envoy its commitment to implement the provisions of the Security Council resolution 1813, in continuity with the work done by Peter Van Walsum, as well as its commitment to enter into negotiations on the basis of the Moroccan project of autonomy.
April 10, 2009
The Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation sent a letter to the President of the Security Council on “polisario” ‘s violations of the cease-fire.
April 13, 2009
The UN Secretary General’s report (S/2009/200) on Sahara reaffirms the importance of the Security Council’s resolution 1813 as well as the need for parties to engage in negotiations, as holding one or more preparatory meetings for the next round of negotiations.
April 27 to 30, 2009
During the Ministerial Meeting of its Coordinating Bureau held in Havana, Non-Aligned Movement supported the relevant resolutions of the Security Council on the Sahara as well as the UN General Assembly resolution 62/116. It reaffirmed its full support for the efforts of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General for the establishment of a mutually acceptable political solution, and welcomed the holding of four round of negotiations under the auspices of the UN Secretary General and the commitment of the parties in negotiations to implement the provisions of the Security Council’s resolutions 1754, 1783 and 1813.
The Movement recorded the efforts and developments since 2006 and has called upon the parties and States of the region to cooperate with the UN Secretary General.
April 30, 2009
The Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1871, strengthening the support of the Council to resolution 1813 (2008), to find a mutually acceptable political solution to the dispute over the Sahara.
This resolution calls for the continuity of the efforts of the Secretary General and his Personal Envoy, refusing any regress in positions and welcoming the developments since April 2007.
June 22 to 30, 2009
During the 2nd visit of Christopher Ross to the region, Morocco reaffirmed its full engagement to facilitate the mission of the UN SG’s Personal Envoy, hoping that the other parties participate positively in the preparation of the 5th round of negotiations.
July 11 to 16, 2009
Non-Aligned Movement supported, during Sharm El Sheikh Summit, the relevant resolutions of the Security Council on the Sahara as well as the UN General Assembly resolution 62/116. It reaffirmed its full support for the efforts of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General for the establishment of a mutually acceptable political solution, and welcomed the holding of four round of negotiations under the auspices of the UN Secretary General and the commitment of the parties in negotiations, to implement the provisions of the Security Council resolutions 1754, 1783 and 1813.
The Movement recorded the efforts and developments since 2006 and has called upon the parties and States of the region to cooperate with the UN Secretary General.
August 9 to 11, 2009
The 1st round of informal talks on the Sahara between Morocco and “polisario”, organized by Christopher Ross, Personal Envoy of Ban Ki-Moon, were held in Dürnstein, Austria. During these talks, Morocco has reintroduced the content and philosophy of the Moroccan Initiative, as a credible solution to the dispute over Sahara.
October 12, 2009
Hany Abdel-Aziz appointed by the UN Secretary General as his Personal representative for the Sahara and head of the MINURSO.
November 6, 2009
On the occasion of the 34th anniversary of the Green March, His Majesty the King said: “Responsible, we affirm that there is no room for ambiguity and duplicity: either the citizen is Moroccan, or he is not. Gone are the days of double play and escape. It is time for clarity and duty assumed. Either one is patriot or traitor. There is no middle ground between patriotism and treason. One can not have both: enjoy the rights of citizenship, and deny them while conspiring with the enemies of our country”.
With the same commitment to international law, We assure to UN organization, once again, the full and constant commitment of Morocco to engage in serious negotiations and to facilitate the mission of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General so as he can continue his predecessor’s efforts to find a consensual political, realistic and definitive solution, based on the proposal of autonomy within the framework on the Kingdom’s sovereignty, its national unity and territorial integrity.
November 14, 2009
Aminatou Haidar was taken back to the Canary Islands via Laayoune airport because of her refusal to complete the police formalities at the airport, and her violation of the laws concerning the entry into Moroccan territory.
Morocco has described the actions of Haidar as undermining the territorial integrity of the country.
November 18, 2009
The Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations sent a letter to the UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy in response to allegations of human rights.
December 10, 2009
The General Assembly adopted resolution 64/101, supporting the ongoing process and reaffirming the responsibilities of the parties and States of the region to cooperate with the General Secretary to find a political solution mutually acceptable.
This resolution reaffirms that negotiations are the only way to find a political solution mutually acceptable and excludes referendum as a means that guarantees the right to self-determination, as do the resolutions 62/116 (2007) and 63/105(2008).
December 17, 2009
Based on the requirement of full respect to Moroccan law, fully applying to the whole of Moroccan territory, including southern provinces, and strictly under humanitarian dimension of the case Aminatu Haidar, the Kingdom of Morocco accepted to the request that Haidar gets back to the Kingdom of Morocco.
In this respect, Morocco highlighted to its partners that the actions of Aminatu Haidar are not related to the promotion of human rights, but rather they are done on behalf of “polisario”.
December 17, 2009
Immediately after Haidar got the permission to get back to the Kingdom of Morocco, the French President “welcomed Morocco’s large autonomy proposal within the framework of a political solution” and stressed that “Moroccan laws apply to the southern provinces.”
While the President of the Spanish Council “found that Moroccan laws apply to the southern provinces of the Kingdom”, both Italian Foreign Affairs Minister and U.S. Secretary of State praised Morocco’s decision to allow the return of Aminatu Haidar for humanitarian reasons.
December 21, 2009
With regard to the case of Aminatu Haidar, Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation stressed that priority should be given to political negotiation as requested by the Security Council’s resolutions, taking into account Morocco’s efforts since 2006.
On the other hand, Moroccan laws apply fully and in all legitimacy to the entire territory, including southern provinces.
Thus, Aminatu Haidar has been manipulated by the other parties of the dispute to serve a political agenda set by the enemies of Morocco’s territorial integrity.
The Minister highlighted the efforts of the leaders of Moroccan political parties to bring to light, at an international level, the activist nature of Aminatu Haidar and her direct relation with other parties, especially Algeria, unlike what she claims by hiding behind the image of a human rights’ militant.
January 3, 2010
In His Speech on the occasion of launching the Advisory Council on Regionalization, His Majesty the King “asked the Committee to prepare a general conception for an advanced Moroccan regionalization model, covering all regions of the kingdom, and to submit it to Our High Appreciation by the end of next June.
We aim, among other major objectives, at placing our recovered southern provinces among the first beneficiaries of the advanced regionalization. Morocco, in fact, can not be confined in the status quo, while the enemies of our territorial integrity strive to hinder the UN process aiming at finding a political, mutually acceptable and realistic solution to the artificial dispute over these provinces, a solution based on our autonomy initiative dedicated to the Moroccan Sahara.
We reiterate that this initiative, strongly credible at the UN, remains a basis for any serious and responsible negotiation leading to the final and realistic settlement desired.”
January 15, 2010
Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation sent a letter to the UN Secretary General about the case Aminatu Haidar and the threats to the political process.
February 1, 2010
Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation sent a letter to the UN Secretary General as a response to allegations of violations of the cease-fire and the security system.
February 10 & 11, 2010
During the 2nd round of informal talks on the Sahara in Armonk (New York), Morocco stressed that the Moroccan initiative of autonomy is fully compliant with international law and Security Council resolutions.
Morocco has demonstrated the obsolescence of the proposal of the other parts, as well as the biased interpretation of the principle of self-determination and the inapplicability of a referendum with extreme outcomes.
March 2010
The Minister of Foreign Affairs sent a letter to the UN Secretary General on the checklist of the national issue.
March 17 to 25, 2010
During Christopher Ross’s 3rd visit to the region, Morocco reaffirmed its full commitment to find a political solution mutually acceptable and to engage in negotiations on the basis of the Moroccan Initiative of autonomy.
March 30, 2010
Guinea Bissau withdrew its recognition of the so-called “sadr”.
April 6, 2010
In his report (S/2010/175), UN Secretary General reaffirmed the necessity for other parties to engage into credible et reliable discussions.
The Report also reported a scathing refutation of the allegations of human rights’ violations in the southern provinces of the Kingdom.
The report highlights the importance of conducting a census of refugees in Tindouf camps and the implementation of individual program interview.
April 30, 2010
The Security Council adopted resolution 1920 in which it welcomed the new serious and credible efforts made by Morocco and emphasizes the primacy of the Moroccan autonomy initiative; calling on the parties to enter into a phase of intense and substantial negotiations on the basis of realism and compromise.
This resolution calls upon the parties and States of the region to fully cooperate with the UN to achieve a mutually acceptable political solution.
July 22, 2010
Dominica withdrew its recognition of the so-called “sadr”.
August 9, 2010
Selma Ould Sidi Mouloud, former Inspector General of Police of the “polisario” declared his support for the Moroccan autonomy project as the unique credible solution to the dispute over Sahara.
August 13, 2010
Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Kitts and Nevis withdrew their recognition of the so-called “sadr”.
September 2010
The Minister of Foreign Affairs sent a letter to the UN Secretary General on human rights.
September 2010
The Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Kingdom of Morocco to the UN sent a letter to the UN SG’s Personal Envoy on confidence building measures.
September 2010
The Minister of Foreign Affairs sent a letter to the UN Secretary General on the latest developments of the national issue.
September 2010
The Minister of Foreign Affairs sent a letter to the UN HCR on confidence building measures.
September 21, 2010
Selma Ould Sidi Mouloud got kidnapped of at the entry of Tindouf camps, immediately after his support to the Moroccan Initiative of autonomy.
October 11, 2010
Adoption of resolution A/65/L.5 by the General Assembly’s 4th Commission calling all the parties to intensify the negotiations to achieve a political solution, negotiated and mutually acceptable.
October 17, 2010
Setting up of Gdim Izik camps in the region of Laâyoune.
October 18, 2010
During Christopher Ross’s 4th visit to the region, Morocco reaffirmed its full commitment to find a political solution mutually acceptable, and engage in negotiations on the basis of the Moroccan Initiative of Autonomy.
October 25, 2010
Burundi withdrew its recognition of the so-called “sadr”.
November 6, 2010
His Majesty the King declared, in His Speech on the 35th anniversary of the Green March: “breaking with the approaches that the UN confirmed their inapplicability, the Autonomy Initiative has, in fact, initiated a positive and realistic process of UN negotiations”.
It is, thus, up to the international community to identify clearly and unambiguously the obstacles blocking the negotiation process. On the other hand, the opponents of Morocco who persist in inaction, intransigence and division, instead of preferring the dynamics, dialogue and harmony.
We confirm in this regard that We will never abandon our faithful subjects neither in the Tindouf camps nor anywhere else. We will spare no effort so as they can exercise their fundamental rights, including the right to freedom of expression, movement and return to their homeland.
Morocco, sovereign over its entire territory and assuming clearly and unambiguously its international legal responsibilities, criticizes the peddling false accusations on the existence of areas allegedly “under control” at the east of the security system, and of which everyone knows the peaceful and wise purposes governing it.
November 8 & 9, 2010
During the 3rd round of informal talks on the Sahara in Manhasset (New York), Morocco stressed the need to give new impetus and qualitative momentum to the negotiations, through a new methodology to break the current impasse. Morocco made a proposal to the UN SG’s Personal Envoy in this regard.
Morocco has reiterated its readiness to participate in negotiations on the basis of the Moroccan Initiative of Autonomy, welcomed by the international community and regarded as serious and credible.
Morocco noted that since the proposal of the Moroccan Initiative of Autonomy, the other parties use some “fake” incidents and situations just to escape their responsibility and hinder the negotiation process.
November 8, 2010
Organization of the dismantling of Gdim Izik camps.
November 16, 2010
Joint briefing to the Security Council DPKO and Personal Envoy on Sahara.
November 25, 2010
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Sahara, in which it “condemns the violent incidents” that occurred during the dismantling of the Gdim Izik camps in the city of Laayoune.
December 1, 2010
Presentation by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Morocco, before the European Parliament, of the events that actually occurred during the dismantling of the Gdim Izik camps.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation said that the dismantling of the camp was done in a peaceful way, that the dead people belong to the Moroccan police and that there were no deaths among civilians, contrary to the allegations of genocide and ethnic purification.
December 1, 2010
Selma Ould Sidi Mould has been handed to the High Commissioner for Refugees in Mauritania.
December 10, 2010
Adoption by the General Assembly, by consensus, of the draft resolution on the Sahara A/C.4/65/L.5, which was submitted by the 4th Committee and in which it calls on all parties to intensify negotiations to achieve a political negotiated and mutually acceptable solution.
December 16 to 18, 2010
During the 4th round of informal talks on the Sahara in Manhasset (New York), Morocco presented a series of initiatives and proposals to give a chance to the negotiations process and a new dynamic impulse according to innovative approaches.
These proposals tend to explore different aspects of the case, namely the actual condition of the region’s natural resources and the issue of the representativeness of the population of southern provinces.
Morocco asked that the tours of the UN SG Personal Envoy don’t be limited to prepare the negotiation rounds but also to be enrolled in a dynamic aiming at listening to those who, in the region, can help facilitate the process.
Morocco reiterated its full willingness to find a mutually acceptable political solution on the basis of the Moroccan initiative of autonomy and recalled Van Walsum’s conclusion on the unfeasible and unrealistic characteristics of the independence as a solution to the dispute.
Morocco presented also compelling evidence to refute the maintained propaganda when the Gdeim Izik camp was dismantled.
December 28, 2010
The Permanent Representative of Morocco to the UN sent a letter to the UN SG Personal Envoy on violations of the cease-fire.
January 4, 2011
Dismantling of a terrorist network, a member of the AQIM group, and an arsenal of weapons in the region Amghala (Khang Zriba area). Al Qaeda assigned this terrorist group to create a rear base in Morocco and perform terrorist acts in the Kingdom using the weapons found.
January 5, 2011
During his visit to Morocco, the Foreign Minister of Egypt reiterated the support of Egypt to the Moroccan autonomy plan in the southern provinces, to which the chance should be given through negotiations.
He said that this plan can be a basis for resolving the conflict over the Sahara through negotiations provided that one has good faith.
January 7, 2011
Resumption of the programs of visits exchange by air within the context of the program of confidence measures.
January 21 to 23, 2011
During the 5th round of informal talks on the Sahara, Morocco presented several concrete ideas to accelerate the pace of negotiations on the Sahara and reaffirmed its willingness to find a political solution to the regional dispute on the basis of its autonomy plan. These ideas concern the negotiations process but not the political solution. The Moroccan delegation discussed the idea of diversifying the mission of the UN SG Personal Envoy for the Sahara to broaden participation in the negotiations, namely to representatives of the people of the Saharan provinces and examine the actual state of natural resources in the region and the positive way in which they are used for the benefit of local populations.
February 2, 2011
The Minister of State to the President of Guinea-Bissau, in charge of African and Middle-Eastern affairs and cooperation, M. Umar Embalo, confirmed the constant position and the full support of his country to the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco.
February 27, 2011
During his visit to Morocco, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, M. William Burns, said that the United States are convinced and will always agree that the Moroccan initiative is serious and credible. In this sense, he noted that his country would continue its support to the efforts of the United Nations Secretary General and his Personal Envoy to find a solution to the Sahara issue, peaceful, consensual and accepted by the parties.
March 9, 2011
In his historical speech, His Majesty the King said that “the ultimate goal is to strengthen the foundations of the Moroccan regionalization across the Kingdom, with, at the top, provinces of the Moroccan Sahara, a regionalization based on good governance that ensures a new equitable division, not only of powers, but also of means between the center and the regions”.
March 9, 2011
“The establishment of the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH) is a more advanced step than what existed before, given the prerogatives in its governing Dahir”.
“This Dahir guarantees the independence of members of the Council, its President and its Secretary General, who will never be questioned about facts, gestures or words on the exercise of their functions”
“The new prerogative of the Council is that it can oppose itself to any infringement of Human Rights”. All files are opened because Morocco already made progress in the field of human rights, but it was somehow relative and limited in the early 90s.
The CNDH Secretary General, M. Mohamed Sebbar, said that among the prerogatives of the new body “the right to visit prisons and to ensure that prisoners live in good conditions”.
March 8-9, 2011
During the 6th round of informal talks on the Sahara in Malta, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation expressed “the extreme disappointment of Morocco and its wonder as to why “polisario” withdrew the examination of human rights issue, that it introduced, itself, during the previous round”.
« We said, here in Malta, we were ready to discuss all aspects of this issue so as to relativize them. Unfortunately, we note with regret that the delegation of “polisario” refused to discuss this issue with the Moroccan delegation, though it is its own initiative”.
During these talks, the Moroccan delegation in Malta responded positively to the approach desired by Mr. Ross to explore new paths and discuss additional issues, namely the status of natural resources in the provinces of Sakiat El Hamra and Oued Ed-Dahab.
In this regard, the Minister noted that this wealth, both in the field of fisheries and phosphates, were modest and were implemented through the action of the State, the private investment and the national solidarity in favor of the population of southern provinces.
The UN Secretary General qualified the 6th round of negotiations as a “step forward” in this process.
March 16, 2011
The Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs, M. Alfredo Moreno Charme, stated that « according to international law, recognition of any state depends on the condition to meet the constituent elements of the state entity, such as effective control over a territory and its population, as well as the existence of an independent government, which conditions are absent in the case of “sadr”.
For these reasons, “sadr” is not part of the UN and what is more is that this international organization considers Sahara in the decolonization process, so it is inappropriate to formally recognize it”.
March 23, 2011
At the joint press conference with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation stressed the importance of resolving the Sahara issue to establish a Maghrebi unity, which is necessary for the safety of the people and the region.
The Minister also emphasized the credibility and realism of the Moroccan proposal, which allowed the initiation of a new round of negotiations in 2007.
The Minister highlighted the importance of the Maghrebi unity in facing the threat of Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, which threatens to cease every opportunity to expand its network in the region.
March 29, 2011
Zambia withdrew its recognition of the so-called “sadr”.
March 30, 2011
Papua New Guinea withdrew its recognition of the so-called “sadr”.
March 30, 2011
During his meeting with the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs of Morocco, M. Taib Fassi Fihri, M. Alain Juppé renewed the support of France to the process of negotiations between the parties under the auspices of the UN SG’s Personal Envoy for the Sahara. He described the Autonomy plan proposed by Morocco as a serious and credible basis for negotiations of a final settlement of the Sahara issue.
M. Juppé also welcomed the courageous and even visionary speech of His Majesty the King on institutional reforms and welcomed the ambitious measures taken for the protection of human rights in Morocco.
June 8, 2011
Following the 7th round of informal talks on the Sahara, the SC welcomed the mechanisms put in place by the Kingdom, namely the National Council for Human Rights with its antenna and its local component as well as the institution of interministerial delegate on human rights.
The SC member states are convinced, more than ever before, of the fact that the Maghreb region can no longer tolerate the lack of resolution of this conflict, because of the threat of the Al-Qaeda terrorist group in the region, as well as the terrorist acts performed in neighbouring countries.
July 21, 2011
During the 8th round of informal talks, held in Manhasset, July 19-21, 2011, Morocco highlighted the accuracy of the United Nations’ innovative approach that can help evolve the current situation through a full involvement of the population legitimate representatives.
Morocco disclosed the status quo installed by the other parties and reiterates its call to the international community and to Algeria, as a country host of the refugees, to apply the international humanitarian law, in particular the organization and the registration of the population living in the Tindouf camps in Algeria.
October 10, 2011
The 4th Committee of the 66th Session of the General Assembly adopted a draft resolution on the Sahara issue (A/C.4/66/L.5), without vote, welcoming the ongoing process of negotiations and encouraging a mutually acceptable political solution to the dispute.
The resolution also calls upon the parties and the states of the region to cooperate fully with the Secretary General and his personal Envoy to find a political solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.
January 24 & 25, 2012
The parties held under the auspices of UNHCR and in the presence of the Personal Envoy, the second review meeting on implementation of confidence-building measures in Geneva on 24 and 25 January in 2012.
March 11 to 13, 2012
During the 9th round of informal talks held in Manhasset from March 11 to 13, 2012, Morocco reiterated its strong commitment to contribute effectively to an innovative solution that goes beyond the classical methods to end the current deadlock on the Sahara issue, expressing its regret that the other parties are sticking to their position, especially regarding the identification and the registration of the Tindouf camps population.
April 24, 2012
The Security Council resolution 2044 (2012) unanimously adopted April 24, 2012, consolidated the parameters set by the Council to reach a final political solution to the regional dispute over the Sahara. It has reinforced the process of negotiations as single-track dispute resolution and enhanced innovative approaches.
May 2012
Considering the important stage through which the Sahara issue is currently going, Morocco undertook a global assessment of the last developments, drawing the following three conclusions:
· The stalemate of the negotiations process after the nine rounds of informal negotiations without any perspective of progress;
· The unacceptable lapses in the last report of the Secretary General, considered unfair to Morocco;
· The acts, statements and initiatives of the Personal Envoy and his unbalanced and partial course of action which are contrary to the mission he is entrusted with by the UN SG, in his nomination letter in January 2009, and in violation of the parameters defined by the United Nations Security Council.
Morocco shared this assessment with the UN SG and requested him to take the necessary measures in this regard.
June 15, 2012
The UN SG appointed Mr. Wolfgang Weisbrod-Weber (Germany) as the new Special and head of the MINURSO in replacement of Mr. Hany Abdel-Aziz whose term ended in April 2012.
August 25, 2012
A telephone conversation between His Majesty King Mohammed VI, May God Assist Him, and Mr. Ban Ki Moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations, to insist on the necessity to realize a progress in the settlement process on solid and sound basis, to abide by the clear parameters contained in the UN Security Council resolutions, in particular, realism and compromise spirit and the recognition of the serious and credible nature of the efforts made by Morocco in the framework of the autonomy initiative.
September 19&20, 2012
Morocco took part, in Geneva, to the 3rd meeting of the CBMs evaluation program conducted by the UNHCR between the populations of the provinces of the south and their families in Tindouf camps in Algeria, with the participation of delegations from Algeria, Mauritania and polisario.
October 27, 2012
Visit of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General for the Moroccan Sahara, Christopher Ross, to Morocco. This visit is part of the efforts being made to relaunch the political process with a view to finding out a political, definitive and consensual solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.
November 28, 2012
The Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General for the Moroccan Sahara presented to the Security Council his report which came in conformity with SC resolution 2044 (2012). The report followed the phone conversation, between His Majesty the King and the UN Secretary General, and the regional visit of M. Ross, which covered Morocco (Rabat and southern provinces), Algeria (Algiers and Tindouf camps), Mauritania, Spain and France.
February 2013
Visit of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General for the Moroccan Sahara, Christopher Ross, to the Groups of Friends of the Sahara, namely the United States, Russia, Spain, France and the United Kingdom. He will also visit Berlin and Berne.
February 12, 2013
Barbados freezes its recognition of the “sadr”.
February 15, 2013
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines freezes its recognition of the “sadr”.
March 20-24, 2013
The UNSG’s Personal Envoy for the Sahara visits the Kingdom of Morocco.
April 10, 2013
His Majesty the King Mohamed VI receives Christopher Ross.
April 25, 2013
The Security Council resolution 2099 unanimously adopted on April 25, 2013, consolidated, once more, the preeminence of the Moroccan autonomy initiative, and fixed the parameters to reach a final political solution based on realism and a spirit of compromise.
Similarly, the Security Council reaffirmed via this resolution the MINURSO’s mandate and activities.
The Security Council reiterated his appeal to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to proceed to the identification of the populations of the Tindouf camps, in consultation with Algeria, the host country, according to the 1951 convention on refugees.
saharanews24.wordpress.com 