Côte d’Ivoire backs Morocco’s Sahara autonomy plan at un forum

The Côte d’Ivoire has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a definitive solution to the long-standing regional dispute over the Sahara. This stance was clearly articulated during a recent regional seminar of the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization (C24) held in Managua, Nicaragua.

The Ivorian delegation emphasized that Morocco’s Initiative, backed by over 130 countries—including three permanent members of the UN Security Council—aligns perfectly with international law, the UN Charter, and relevant Security Council resolutions. They highlighted that the plan’s legitimacy was further cemented by Security Council Resolution 2797, adopted in 2025, which acknowledges the unique characteristics of the Sahara region.

According to the Ivorian representatives, the Initiative empowers local populations by allowing them to actively participate in shaping the political and socio-economic landscape of the Sahara. This includes electing their own local and national representatives through regular democratic elections across Morocco, a process that has already seen the inclusion of Saharawi officials elected in these polls.

On the economic front, the delegation noted that Southern provinces have reaped the benefits of substantial investments under Morocco’s New Development Model launched in 2015. These efforts have significantly enhanced living standards and boosted the Human Development Index in the Sahara, demonstrating tangible progress in the region’s development.

The Côte d’Ivoire also commended Morocco’s commitment to human rights, pointing to the strengthened role of the National Human Rights Council’s regional commissions in Laâyoune and Dakhla, as well as enhanced collaboration with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. These measures, they argued, underscore the credibility of the Autonomy Plan by granting Saharawi residents meaningful autonomy and decision-making authority.

The Ivorian delegation concluded by praising Morocco’s relentless efforts to foster a compromise solution to the regional dispute, positioning the Autonomy Initiative as the most viable path to lasting peace and stability in the Sahara.