Casablanca- Following King Mohammed VI’s meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama, different media witnessed an outflow of comments and speculations, by political scientists, academics, and observers on the prospects of this “historical” meeting.
Following the meeting between the two heads of state, President renew the commitment of his country to continue supporting efforts o “find a peaceful, sustainable, mutually agreed-upon solution to the Western Sahara question.”
Just before the meeting, the White House said that the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara is “serious, realistic and credible.”
“Morocco’s autonomy plan is serious, realistic and credible,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said.
“It represents a potential approach that can satisfy the aspirations of the people in the Western Sahara to run their own affairs in peace and dignity.”
Following the said very important meeting, Taj Eddine Husseini, professor of international relations at the University Mohammed V in Rabat, stated as quoted in Maghreb Arab Press:
"The United States recognizes the central role of Morocco in the region in various fields. Morocco has supported the stability and peace in Mali: Militarily, by allowing French aircrafts to fly over Moroccan airspace, and also at the humanitarian level, by setting up a field hospital in the country.”
“This is all in addition to the significant presence of HM King Mohammed VI in the nomination of the President of Mali (...). The United States are aware of the significant capacity and resources available to Morocco for the maintenance of security and the fight against terrorism. The position reiterated by Washington on the national cause will have a positive impact on American decisions in future meetings of the Security Council," he added.
In the same context, Manar Slimi a Moroccan political science professor, said:
"Washington has further strengthened its position in favor of the autonomy plan for the Sahara issue, considering it as an initiative to guarantee the dignity of Sahrawi people. This only proves that Americans follow and support the new development initiative that Morocco has announced through the economic and Social Council, as a content development accompanying the autonomy plan.”
“Through this position, Washington clearly rejects the Algerian campaign aiming to spread the wrong picture of Morocco through biased organizations. (...) The United States welcomed the reform process in Morocco, and continues to consider the autonomy plan proposed by the kingdom a realistic solution to the dispute over the Sahara,” he added.
Kardoudi Jawad, president of Moroccan Institute for International Relations (IMRI), says on the same topic:
"The visit of HM the King to Washington is successful since the joint statement clearly acknowledged the efforts made ??by Morocco on the path of democracy,” he said.
Regarding the Sahara issue, “the U.S. supports the autonomy plan proposed by the kingdom and consolidates its willingness to reach a solution to this artificial conflict fueled by our eastern neighbor.”
“The United States made ??it clear that the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara is ‘serious, realistic and credible, and represents a potential approach that could satisfy the aspirations of the people of the Sahara to manage their own affairs in peace and dignity.’ (...) The recognition of Morocco as an important agent for North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa reflects the strategic role played by the sovereign in both regions,” he concluded.
Chema Gil, Spanish writer and journalist, also commented on the significance of the King’s visit to the U.S. saying:
"By reiterating its support for the Moroccan autonomy plan, the Obama administration fosters a realistic look at the artificial Sahara conflict and supports Morocco, its most reliable partner and ally in the African continent. The United States described the Moroccan autonomy plan, presented in 2007.”
"Therefore, it is once and for all in the hands of the international community to react for the resolution of this conflict created from scratch by Algeria and Gaddafi. Morocco was the first country to recognize the United States, and both countries have maintained good relations since then. The Sahara region should not become a door open to to instability and terrorism, which is what the Polisario leaders want," he concluded.
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