Autonomy project, new political management model
The autonomy project that Morocco proposes to settle the Sahara conflict is likely a "new model of political management", affirmed, here Friday, Syrian expert in strategic issues, Abdellah Tourkomani.
Speaking at the XXI Congress of the "Contemporary Thought Forum" , held in January 11 through 13 under the theme "The Cost of the Non-Maghreb Arab," Tourkomani stressed that this project will make it possible to put an end to the tensions prevailing in the Maghreb and let the door open for "hope of democracy", fostered by the region's people.
Morocco is working out the autonomy project as a solution to the Sahara conflict, triggered in 1975 by the Algeria-backed "Polisario." The separatists lay claims to Morocco's Southern Provinces, known as the Sahara. The former Spanish colony was retrieved by Morocco under the Madrid accord signed in 1975.
The Moroccan approach, "which is based on realism and flexibility, is likely to spare the region serious consequences," he said, deeming it possible to settle the Sahara conflict within a Maghreban framework, by focusing on economic complementarity and common interests.
The Sahara conflict is indeed a Moroccan-Algerian conflict, expert highlighted, adding that the settlement of the Sahara issue will open promising prospects for the establishment of an integrated Maghreb Arab Union (UMA), which is able to cope with challenges.
