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Denmark supports Morocco’s autonomy plan

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Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita met with his Danish counterpart, Lars Løkke Rasmussen

Denmark has joined the increasing number of nations who have stated openly that they support Morocco’s Autonomy Plan.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita met with his Danish counterpart, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York where he declared his support for Morocco’s Autonomy plan.

“In support of autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, the Kingdom of Denmark considers the Autonomy Plan proposed by Morocco in 2007 to be a serious and reliable contribution to the ongoing international process and a solid basis for a mutually agreed-upon solution among all parties,” Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Ministry conveyed Denmark’s position as saying.

The Scandinavian nation’s support of Morocco’s ambition for autonomy is a new diplomatic victory for Rabat in a world where trends are constantly changing and going outside the conventional Euro-Mediterranean area of influence.

Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces is gaining pace internationally because to this support.

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In 2007, Morocco presented the autonomy plan to the UN Security Council, proposing that the Sahara be recognised as a semi-autonomous territory under Moroccan authority.

This will provide local communities complete autonomy over the management of their social, economic, and political matters, with the central Moroccan government continuing to have jurisdiction over matters of defence and diplomacy.

The effort has gained support over time from an increasing number of nations across several continents and regions.

This past August, President Emmanuel Macron of France became the latest member of this expanding list, emphasising in a letter to King Mohammed VI that Western Sahara’s present and future ‘come within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty’.

Finland, another country in the Nordic area, has endorsed Morocco’s drive for autonomy, calling it a “good basis” for resolving the Sahara conflict.

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The Scandinavian nation reaffirmed its support for the autonomy idea this past August, describing it as the best practical foundation for resolving the conflict in the long run.

Denmark has become the 18th European nation to formally recognise Morocco’s authority over the disputed area by expressing support for the Autonomy Plan.

The number of nations that have done so quickly is increasing, demonstrating the potency of Moroccan diplomacy.

Foreign ministers frequently commend Morocco for its leadership in the area and recognise its revolutionary development programs in the southern regions.

This increased support, however, coincides with Morocco’s more aggressive declaration that it will not accept any settlement that deviates from the Autonomy Plan framework.

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In his speech to the 79th UN General Assembly earlier this week, Moroccan President Aziz Akhnnouch reiterated this stance.

He emphasised the necessity for a compromise tempered by the UN and Algeria’s full participation in any political negotiations, saying that the autonomy idea is the only way to resolve the conflict over Western Sahara.

As per Akhannouch, the increasing backing conveys a “unambiguous message to the other parties and the United Nations that the time has arrived to proceed towards a political resolution grounded in this framework, via a sequence of roundtable talks, through UN Security Council resolutions.”

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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DIPLOMACY

Morocco Backs Gulf Security, Condemns Iranian Attacks Against Brotherly Arab States

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Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Living Abroad, Nasser Bourita

Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Living Abroad, Nasser Bourita, has reaffirmed that the security and stability of Gulf Arab states are inseparable from Morocco’s own national security.

Speaking during an extraordinary ministerial meeting of the League of Arab States held on Sunday to discuss Iran’s attacks on Arab states, Bourita stressed that Morocco views any threat to Gulf countries as a direct threat to itself.

“What harms you harms us, and what affects us affects you,” Bourita said, reiterating Morocco’s long-standing commitment to the security of Gulf nations.

The meeting, attended remotely by the Moroccan minister, was convened to address what participants described as Iran’s aggression against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Arab countries.

Bourita noted that Morocco’s position reflects the policy consistently articulated by King Mohammed VI, who has repeatedly emphasised solidarity with Gulf partners. He revealed that the Moroccan monarch recently held telephone conversations with leaders of Gulf states to express Morocco’s support for their sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

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The minister also recalled the king’s remarks during the Moroccan-Gulf Summit on April 20, 2016, where Mohammed VI declared that defending shared security among Arab nations is “not only a common duty but an indivisible one.”

During the emergency session, Bourita strongly condemned what he described as “brutal Iranian attacks” on Arab countries, calling them a blatant violation of their sovereignty and a serious threat to regional stability. Morocco, he said, stands in full solidarity with the affected states and supports any legitimate measures they deem necessary to safeguard their citizens and territories.

He further accused the Iranian regime of pursuing destabilizing policies across the region, alleging that Tehran seeks to create and support militias and groups loyal to it in order to undermine the stability and interests of neighboring countries.

Bourita urged Arab nations to strengthen unity and collective action through the League of Arab States as the most effective means of protecting regional security and safeguarding national sovereignty.

Concluding his remarks, the Moroccan foreign minister called for a unified Arab stance against actions that threaten regional stability and demanded the immediate cessation of Iranian attacks, saying such a move would open the door for diplomacy, dialogue and de-escalation in the region.

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Morocco’s King Reaffirms Solidarity with Gulf States After “Blatant Attacks”

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King Mohammed VI of Morocco

Mohammed VI has reaffirmed Morocco’s “full support and solidarity” with several Arab Gulf states following what he described as “blatant attacks” on their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a statement issued Saturday by the Royal Cabinet, the Moroccan monarch disclosed that he held separate telephone conversations with key Gulf leaders, including Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates; Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa; Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia; and Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

According to the Royal Cabinet, King Mohammed VI strongly condemned the attacks targeting the sovereignty of the “brotherly states” and reiterated Morocco’s readiness to stand by them in any legitimate measures they consider necessary to safeguard their security and ensure the safety of their citizens.

The statement underscored the “deep fraternal ties and enduring solidarity” binding Morocco to the Gulf nations, stressing that the security and stability of the Arab Gulf region are inseparable from Morocco’s own national security.

“Any infringement upon their integrity constitutes a serious and unacceptable aggression and a direct threat to regional stability,” the statement read.

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Morocco has long maintained close political, economic and security ties with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, with cooperation spanning investment, energy, defence and diplomatic coordination on regional issues.

Saturday’s high-level consultations signal Rabat’s intention to reinforce those alliances at a time of heightened regional tensions, while affirming its position that threats to Gulf states are viewed as threats to broader Arab and regional stability.

The Royal Cabinet did not provide further details on the nature of the attacks referenced in the conversations, but the statement reflects Morocco’s consistent diplomatic posture of collective Arab solidarity in times of crisis.

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King Mohammed VI Orders $328 Million Aid Programme for Flood-Hit Regions

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On High Royal Instructions from Mohammed VI, the Moroccan government has rolled out a major aid and support programme valued at approximately $328 million (MAD 3 billion) to assist communities affected by exceptionally severe weather conditions over the past two months.

The extreme weather, which particularly impacted the Gharb plain and Loukkos regions, caused widespread flooding and large-scale displacement across several provinces.

According to a press release from the Office of the Head of Government, His Majesty, mindful of safeguarding citizens’ safety and improving their living conditions, directed authorities to implement an urgent and comprehensive response plan, alongside the necessary regulatory measures required in such circumstances.

In line with these instructions, the Head of Government issued a decree declaring the weather conditions a catastrophic event. The most affected communes in the provinces of Larache, Kénitra, Sidi Kacem and Sidi Slimane have officially been designated disaster areas.

The aid and support programme, equivalent to roughly $328 million, was designed following an in-depth field assessment and a detailed evaluation of the economic and social repercussions of the disaster.

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The breakdown of the package includes:

  • $85 million (MAD 775 million) for rehousing affected families, compensating for loss of income, rehabilitating damaged homes and small businesses, and reconstructing collapsed houses.
  • $25 million (MAD 225 million) in in-kind assistance and reinforced emergency interventions to meet immediate and essential needs.
  • $33 million (MAD 300 million) in targeted support for farmers and livestock breeders.
  • $186 million (MAD 1.7 billion) allocated for the rehabilitation of roads, hydro-agricultural infrastructure and basic public service networks.

The statement further emphasised that the King has instructed the government to ensure the programme is executed in an exemplary, swift and responsible manner, enabling affected citizens to return to normal living conditions as quickly as possible.

Official figures indicate that the severe weather caused flooding across more than 110,000 hectares of land and displaced nearly 188,000 people in the four affected provinces.

The large-scale intervention underscores Morocco’s commitment to rapid recovery and long-term reconstruction following one of the most significant weather-related disruptions in recent years.

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