El Otmani: Morocco 'categorically' rejects any extension of MINURSO's mandate

This was the sharp statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Saad El Dine Otmani, on Tuesday, April 16.

Commenting on the latest developments concerning the question of the Sahara at the United Nations, Saad El Dine Otmani noted that "This position is constant and will never change. It is based on political considerations, safe ,obvious and  legal. "

The Islamist minister noted that "since the introduction in 2007 by the Kingdom by Morocco of its autonomy initiative, the issue of human rights has been constantly exploited in an attempt to deflect the negotiation process and serve asa pretext for the other parties, not to engage in the search for a political solution to the regional dispute over the Sahara. "

"Morocco, of its own accord, has adopted measures and initiatives taken for the promotion and protection of human rights, including in the Sahara region. These measures are in line with bold and significant reforms launched by King Mohammed VI, "he said, noting that" the Security Council is, indeed, happy. "

"In this context, strengthening the independence of national mechanisms and the opening of the special procedures of the United Nations largely meet expectations of the international community, especially the members of the Security Council," said Saad El Dine Otmani who reaffirmed that "Morocco remains confident in the wisdom of the members of the Security Council and their ability to sustain the gains, build consensus, immunize the process and enforce the parameters that have guided the work of the Security Council on record. "