Bourita at the UN: The Sahara Issue Has Entered a New Phase
NEW YORK – Moroccan Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, has asserted that the issue of the Moroccan Sahara has entered a new phase. He emphasized that the dynamics established in recent years have, according to the Kingdom’s position, paved the way for a new phase aimed at a definitive political resolution of the regional dispute.
Speaking before the United Nations General Assembly, Nasser Bourita highlighted that, thanks to the momentum initiated by King Mohammed VI, the Sahara issue has reached what he termed a “historic turning point,” particularly following the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2797 in October 2025.
The Moroccan minister noted that since the adoption of this resolution, the dossier has embarked on a trajectory marking a departure from past approaches and is now focused on seeking a definitive political solution.
For Rabat, this process is now based on several clearly defined principles and frameworks.
The first principle, Bourita indicated, is that no solution can be envisaged outside the framework of autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty.
The second principle relates to the settlement process. The Moroccan foreign minister stressed that no other approach or mechanism could replace the political process conducted under the auspices of the United Nations, based on the Moroccan autonomy initiative.
Bourita also underscored the responsibilities of the four parties involved in the political process, as defined in the Security Council resolutions.
Moreover, he asserted that the status quo cannot represent a sustainable perspective, considering that the political process is now underway and must progress toward a definitive solution.
The Moroccan minister linked the credibility of the political process to adherence to the ceasefire and the Security Council resolutions, criticizing, in this context, the violations of the ceasefire and the non-compliance with UN decisions.
On the humanitarian front, Nasser Bourita condemned the situation of populations living in the Tindouf camps, calling for an end to what he described as the captivity of these populations for several decades and highlighting the necessity of respecting international law and humanitarian law.
Simultaneously with the political process, the Moroccan minister emphasized the continuation of development programs in the southern provinces of the Kingdom.
He specifically mentioned investments in infrastructure, higher education, health care, airports, and various other sectors as part of the ongoing development efforts in these regions.
Nasser Bourita also referred to the political participation of the residents of the southern provinces, recalling their engagement in the Kingdom’s legislative elections as a demonstration of their representation and involvement in national political and institutional life.
Through this address, Morocco reaffirms its position that the resolution of the Sahara issue must align with the political process led under the auspices of the United Nations, with the Moroccan autonomy initiative serving as the basis for negotiations.
