New York: Sierra Leone reaffirmed before the UN Committee of 24 (C-24) its explicit support for the Autonomy initiative presented by Morocco in order to put an end to the regional dispute over the Sahara.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, Sierra Leone’s Deputy Permanent Representative, Ambassador Kalilu Totangi, spoke at the regular session of the Committee, held from June 9 to 20 in New York. He emphasized that the initiative, described as serious and credible in Security Council resolutions since 2007, is gaining growing international support.

The ambassador stressed the importance of relaunching the roundtable process in the same format and with the same participants, noting that this approach is essential to mainly moving towards a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict.

Additionally, he commended Morocco’s cooperation and coordination with MINURSO, urging other parties to fully respect the ceasefire and remove all restrictions on the UN Mission’s freedom of movement. He also highlighted Morocco’s ongoing efforts to promote social and economic development in the southern provinces and its constructive engagement in human rights, including cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Ambassador Totangi concluded by inviting all parties to engage in good faith and a spirit of compromise in the political process conducted under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General.