World powers will not tolerate the creation of a fragile state in North Africa (Chatham House)
World powers, particularly the permanent members of UN Security, will not tolerate the creation of a fragile state in the region of North Africa, said the prestigious Royal Institute of International Affairs , Chatham House in London.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/World-powers-wi...
"The permanent members of UN Security oppose the creation of a fragmented and fragile state in North Africa", an area that is exposed to the threats posed by the dangerous instability in the countries of Sahel, said Dr. Claire Spencer director of Middle East and North Africa (Mena) at Chatham House, referring to the designs of the Polisario separatists and their supporters,MAP reports.
The instability in this region poses serious challenges for countries of the Maghreb and beyond the European continent, she said, citing the activities of al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), who took advantage the fall of the former Libyan regime to strengthen its activities including arms trafficking.
AQIM is no longer the only player in the region with the emergence of other groups in Niger, Mali and Nigeria, she warned, stressing that the problems suffered in the Sahel are accented by a dangerous fragmentation born the absence of strong states , capable of guaranteeing stability.
This is a situation which provides a fertile ground for all kinds of traffic (weapons, drugs and human-beings) and for activities including kidnapping Western nationals, she said, warning that countries Maghreb are not totally immune from the impact of this situation.
It would be difficult for these countries to ensure effective control of their borders in an environment as difficult as this without increased cooperation, she said, emphasizing the need to reach a settlement of the Sahara issue.
Stressing that the permanent members of the Security Council of the UN, in particular France and the United States, encourage the efforts made by Morocco for development" Saharan provinces, the head of Mena at Chatham House regretted "the refusal "of Algeria to begin discussions with Morocco to reach a solution.
The Algerian authorities "argue that their country is not a party to the conflict even if it continues to host the Polisario camps in Tindouf in its territory," said Dr Spencer.
"A bilateral discussion between Rabat and Algiers could help to move the dispute forward and find common ground on the Sahara issue," she said, citing Morocco's desire to warm up its relations with its neighbor to the is following the recent visit to Algeria by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Saad El Dine Otmani.
In addition, Ms. Spencer has identified the development of economic integration in the Maghreb region, imposed as a necessity given changes last year at the regional lebvel, could serve as a means of eliminating barriers between Morocco and Algeria, and thus encourage settlement of the Sahara issue.
Commenting on the recent decision of Morocco to withdraw confidence in Christopher Ross, special envoy of UN Secretary General for the Sahara, Ms. Spencer said it was time for the international organization to change its policy in order to give new impetus to the discussions.
The next UN facilitator must have extensive experience in such cases to be able to bring a new vision based on a fundamental rule of impartiality, she said.
The instability in this region poses serious challenges for countries of the Maghreb and beyond the European continent, she said, citing the activities of al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), who took advantage the fall of the former Libyan regime to strengthen its activities including arms trafficking.
AQIM is no longer the only player in the region with the emergence of other groups in Niger, Mali and Nigeria, she warned, stressing that the problems suffered in the Sahel are accented by a dangerous fragmentation born the absence of strong states , capable of guaranteeing stability.
This is a situation which provides a fertile ground for all kinds of traffic (weapons, drugs and human-beings) and for activities including kidnapping Western nationals, she said, warning that countries Maghreb are not totally immune from the impact of this situation.
It would be difficult for these countries to ensure effective control of their borders in an environment as difficult as this without increased cooperation, she said, emphasizing the need to reach a settlement of the Sahara issue.
Stressing that the permanent members of the Security Council of the UN, in particular France and the United States, encourage the efforts made by Morocco for development" Saharan provinces, the head of Mena at Chatham House regretted "the refusal "of Algeria to begin discussions with Morocco to reach a solution.
The Algerian authorities "argue that their country is not a party to the conflict even if it continues to host the Polisario camps in Tindouf in its territory," said Dr Spencer.
"A bilateral discussion between Rabat and Algiers could help to move the dispute forward and find common ground on the Sahara issue," she said, citing Morocco's desire to warm up its relations with its neighbor to the is following the recent visit to Algeria by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Saad El Dine Otmani.
In addition, Ms. Spencer has identified the development of economic integration in the Maghreb region, imposed as a necessity given changes last year at the regional lebvel, could serve as a means of eliminating barriers between Morocco and Algeria, and thus encourage settlement of the Sahara issue.
Commenting on the recent decision of Morocco to withdraw confidence in Christopher Ross, special envoy of UN Secretary General for the Sahara, Ms. Spencer said it was time for the international organization to change its policy in order to give new impetus to the discussions.
The next UN facilitator must have extensive experience in such cases to be able to bring a new vision based on a fundamental rule of impartiality, she said.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/World-powers-wi...