The Côte d’Ivoire has reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative aimed at resolving the long-standing regional dispute over the Western Sahara during a recent regional seminar of the United Nations Committee of 24 (C24).
At the gathering held in Managua, the Ivorian delegation emphasized that the Moroccan proposal, backed by approximately 130 nations—including three permanent members of the United Nations Security Council—aligns with international law, the UN Charter, and all relevant resolutions.
The delegation highlighted that the credibility of this initiative was underscored by UN Security Council Resolution 2797, adopted in 2025, which acknowledges the unique characteristics of the Western Sahara. The plan empowers local inhabitants to play an active role in shaping the political and socio-economic landscape of the region, they noted.
Politically, residents of the Western Sahara freely elect their local and national representatives through regularly held democratic elections across the Kingdom of Morocco, the delegation pointed out. They also commended the participation of elected officials from the region in the C24 proceedings, underscoring their direct involvement in the process.
Economically, the Ivorian representatives noted that the populations of Morocco’s southern provinces are reaping the benefits of substantial investments made under the 2015 New Development Model. These initiatives have significantly improved living standards and elevated the Human Development Index in the region, they observed.
The delegation also praised Morocco’s efforts to promote and protect human rights, including the establishment of regional branches of the National Human Rights Council in Laâyoune and Dakhla. They further acknowledged the Kingdom’s cooperation with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to strengthen these protections.
While lauding the Kingdom’s countless efforts to achieve a mutually acceptable solution to the dispute, the Côte d’Ivoire emphasized that these tangible actions demonstrate the credibility of the autonomy initiative. The plan grants inhabitants of the Western Sahara significant and meaningful self-governance prerogatives, they concluded.
