Dynamic of Opening Consulates Continues Despite Pressure and Protest Statements, FM

Laayoune - The dynamic of opening diplomatic representations in the southern provinces of Morocco continues at a sustained pace "despite the pressure, statements and summoning of ambassadors", said on Friday Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita. Support for the Moroccan identity of the Sahara is constantly growing and stems from all regions of Africa, the minister said during a joint press briefing with his counterpart from Burundi Ezechiel Nibigira, on the occasion of the opening of the consulate general of this country in Laayoune. This is proof of the credibility of the Moroccan position based on international law and the resolutions of the UN Security Council, he said.

"Unfortunately, a lonely state is at odds with this orientation, which shows its involvement and direct responsibility in this issue", he said, noting that this "country" has made the Sahara issue the "number one priority of its diplomacy". Bourita said that the opening of these consulates in Laayoune and Dakhla constitutes a sovereign decision by these African countries and an act in accordance with international legality. The Minister of Foreign Affairs praised, on this occasion, Burundi's support for the Moroccan aspect of the Sahara, whether within the United Nations or the AU Peace and Security Council, which this country chaired last month. He also welcomed the remarkable development of cooperation relations between the two countries since the "sovereign" decision taken by Burundi in 2010 to withdraw its recognition of the fake "SADR" and to open in 2015 an embassy in Rabat. The Minister reiterated the determination of the Kingdom to strengthen its cooperation with Burundi in all areas to help this country overcome the difficult times it has experienced in recent years. A mission of Moroccan experts will soon go to Bujumbura to identify areas of future cooperation between the two countries as well as the possibilities of establishing twinning agreements between Moroccan and Burundian cities, he said. Bourita announced the decision of Morocco to increase the quota of scholarships allocated to Burundian students to enable them to follow their training in institutes established in Laayoune and other regions of the Kingdom. Burundi became the sixth country to open a consulate in Laayoune after the Union of the Comoros, Côte d'Ivoire, Sao Tome and Principe, Gabon and the Central African Republic.