New York (UN), 10 October 2024 (SPS) – Algerian history researcher Dr Mohamed Doumir methodically dismantled the Makhzen’s arguments on the alleged “Moroccanness” of the territory of Western Sahara before the UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization).
The researcher presented official historical documents proving that Western Sahara and the Kingdom of Morocco are two distinct territories.
“I present to you some documented historical truths that are absent from the minds of some, despite the clarity of the facts,” he said in his speech, assuring us that ‘Western Sahara and the Sahrawi people have never been Moroccan.
“Methodically, the speaker first referred to the signing of the treaty of May 28 1956 by Morocco’s Foreign Minister, Ahmed Balafrej, on behalf of his then King Mohamed V, recognizing his kingdom’s borders without any objection or reservation”.
Addressing the members of the Fourth Committee directly, Mohamed Doumir asked: “I ask a question today to the United Nations institution and all the representatives of the States present: did you receive at the time any objection or reservation from Morocco concerning its borders? Did Morocco lay claim to the territory of Western Sahara when it gained independence and joined the United Nations in 1956? Or did the idea come to it overnight?”.
Mohamed Doumir forcefully reaffirmed that historical documents attest with certainty to Western Sahara’s independence from Morocco.
He cited the treaties signed by the kings of Marrakech with the United States in 1787 and 1836, with France in 1763 and 1868, as well as with Great Britain, Italy, Spain and other countries.
“Since 1767, the kings of Morocco have written in their treaties that this territory (the Western Sahara) is free and not under Moroccan trusteeship,” he insisted.
He pointed out that the majority of Sahrawi tribes did sign agreements with the Spanish colonizer. These indigenous tribes “signed independently.”
These documents, signed by the Sahrawis, are further proof that prompts Dr Doumir to ask the central question: “Do not these treaties entitle the Sahrawi people to enjoy their right to self-determination?”
On Tuesday, a large number of petitioners from different parts of the world took part in the general debate of the UN Fourth Committee on Special Political and Decolonization Issues, defending the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination and calling for an end to Morocco’s prolonged occupation of Western Sahara.
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