Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has called on the United Nations to assume responsibility and spell out the major difference between the real, legitimate world – represented by Morocco in its Sahara.

The monarch made the call at the 49^th anniversary of the glorious Green March – an annual event that celebrates Moroccans’ march against the Spanish colonization of Morocco’s southern provinces.

The Green March was a mass demonstration in November 1975, coordinated by the Moroccan government and military, to force Spain to hand over the disputed, autonomous semi-metropolitan Province of Spanish Sahara to Morocco.

In a speech delivered on Wednesday, King Mohammed VI recalled that the peaceful, popular march enabled Morocco to recover the Moroccan Sahara.

“It also strengthened the bond between that region’s inhabitants and their motherland.”

Since then, Morocco has been able to establish tangible facts on the ground as well as an irreversible reality rooted in law, legitimacy, commitment and responsibility, as evidenced by the following:

 “Firstly: the strong attachment of our sons and daughters in the Sahara to their Moroccan identity, and their commitment to the nation’s sacred, immutable values, in keeping with the bond of the Bei’a, which has existed throughout history between the inhabitants of the Sahara and the kings of Morocco.

 “Secondly: the progress, security and stability existing in the Moroccan Sahara.

 “Thirdly: growing international recognition of the Sahara as a Moroccan territory, and the broad support the Autonomy Initiative has been receiving.”

Continuing, the monarch remarked that “parallel to this natural, legitimate situation, there is, sadly, another world disconnected from reality – a world still feeding on the illusions of the past and clinging to outdated theories and claims:

 “As a result, there are some who demand a referendum, despite that option being discarded by the United Nations and the impossibility of implementing it; at the same time, the proponents of that position refuse to allow a census of the people detained in the Tindouf camps, using them as hostages, keeping them in deplorable, humiliating conditions, and depriving them of the most basic rights.

 “And some exploit the Sahara issue to secure access to the Atlantic Ocean.

“To them I say this: We do not refuse such as a prospect. As everyone knows, Morocco has proposed an international initiative to facilitate the Sahel countries’ access to the Atlantic Ocean, within the framework of partnership and cooperation. The aim being to achieve shared progress for the benefit of all peoples in the region.

 And there are those who exploit the Sahara issue to deflect attention from their many internal problems.

 “Still, others seek to manipulate certain legal aspects in order to serve narrow political goals.

 “To them as well, I say this: Morocco’s partnerships and legal obligations will never be at the expense of its territorial integrity or its national sovereignty.”

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI became one of the first world leaders to congratulate Donald J. Trump following his election as President of the United States of America for a new term.

He expressed to Trump, his best wishes for every success in his presidential duties and endeavours to serve the American people.  

The Moroccan monarch recalls the historic alliance and strategic partnership between his kingdom and the United States, which King Mohammed VI says has withstood the test of time.

“The values we have in common and our shared interests across a wide range of sectors have enabled us to consistently work together towards building a better future for our peoples, making our relationship a driving force for peace, security and prosperity in the Middle East, Africa and beyond.”

King Mohammed expressed that Trump’s resounding success in the American Presidential Election is a tribute to his patriotism and rewards his continued commitment to upholding the best interests of the United States, “our longstanding friend and ally”.

The monarch recalled that during the previous tenure of Trump, bilateral ties reached an unprecedented level when the United States of America recognized the Kingdom of Morocco’s full sovereignty over its entire territory in the Sahara, underlining that this memorable act, for which the Moroccan people will be forever grateful, was a milestone and a pivotal moment, reflecting “the true depth of the special, longstanding relationship which holds the promise of even greater cooperation and a broader strategic partnership.

“As we address an array of increasingly complex regional and global challenges, the Kingdom of Morocco will be, more than ever, a true friend and loyal ally of the United States,” the Sovereign wrote, voicing His determination to work closely with Trump to “advance our shared interests and further enhance our unique alliance across all levels of cooperation.”

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu is one of the first leaders to congratulate Donald Trump on his electoral victory into the White House which he once occupied.

Tinubu  extended his heartfelt congratulations to Trump on his re-election as the 47th President of the United States of America.

He looks forward to strengthening the ties between Nigeria and the United States amid the complex challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.

Tinubu remarked:  “Together, we can foster economic cooperation, promote peace, and address global challenges that affect our citizens.”

According to the Nigerian president, Trump’s victory reflects the trust and confidence the American people have placed in his leadership.

Tinubu believes that, given President Trump’s experience as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021, his return to the White House as the 47th president will usher in an era of earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal economic and development partnerships between Africa and the United States.

Acknowledging the United States’ influence, power, and position in determining the trend and course of global events, the Nigerian leader trusts that President Trump will bring the world closer to peace and prosperity.