New York:Elected representatives from Morocco’s Southern Provinces addressed the United Nations General Assembly’s Fourth Committee, presenting evidence of significant democratic and developmental progress in the Moroccan Sahara.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, young parliamentarian Moufida Ouiddad expressed pride in representing a new generation of Saharawi women increasingly involved in public life and decision-making positions. She emphasized the legitimacy of her mandate as a representative elected by the Sahrawis.

Hormatollah Erragheb, president of the Dakhla municipal council, underscored the city’s emergence as a promising economic hub and Atlantic gateway. He attributed this growth to a vision focused on openness, investment, and local development aligned with national and international partnerships.

Council member H’Mmaid Soubai from Foum El Oued highlighted the development momentum in the Moroccan Sahara, noting that investments in infrastructure and human capital contribute to human dignity. He also expressed a desire for similar progress in the Tindouf camps.

Takber Abba, an official from Boujdour Province, praised the active role of Sahrawi women in economic development, emphasizing their contributions as entrepreneurs and project developers. This reflects a shift from being mere beneficiaries to key economic actors.

Moulay Brahim Chrif, president of the Smara town hall, described the city’s integration into development networks despite its inland location, emphasizing the Royal Initiative’s role in connecting landlocked African countries to the Atlantic Ocean.

M’aidla Lebhaihe noted the political significance of Sahrawi women’s election to local lists, highlighting their choice to run alongside men under equal conditions.

Sidati Ben Massaoud, president of the Dchira town hall, insisted that representative legitimacy must originate from citizens’ mandates secured through elections.

Other speakers, including entrepreneur Mohamed Edabadd, filmmaker Ahmed Bouchalgua, and renewable energy engineer Khadija Ezaoui, discussed the region’s development in economic, cultural, and renewable energy sectors.