King Mohammed VI listed the states supporting Morocco, including Hungary, within the framework of its sovereignty over the Sahara

In his speetch to the nation delivered on 20 august 2022 in the occasion of celebrating the 69 anniversary of the glorious Revolution of the King and the People, which was a watershed event on the path towards Moroccan independence, His majesty emphasised that there is a number of influential states that have expressed support for the Autonomy Initiative within Morocco’s full sovereignty over its territory as the only solution to this artificial regional dispute.

The disputed status of Western Sahara –a former Spanish colony considered a “non-self-governing territory” by the United Nations – has pitted Morocco against the Polisario Front, since the 1970s. Rabat, which controls nearly 80% of the territory, pushing for autonomy under its sovereignty.

In his speetch, the king Mohammed VI indicated that the firm position of the United States of America has been a source of real motivation – a position that is not affected by a change of Administration, nor is it influenced by new circumstances.
I also commend the clear, responsible stance of Spain, our neighbour that is well aware the origins and the reality of the dispute.

His majesty greeted the constructive position regarding the Autonomy Initiative adopted by a number of European countries – which include Germany, Hungary the Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Cyprus and Romania – will contribute to ushering in a new era of trust-based relations, and will help strengthen the qualitative partnership with these friendly countries.

At the same time, His Majesty reminded that nearly thirty countries have opened consulates in the southern provinces of Morocco, thereby confirming their clear support for the Kingdom’s territorial integrity and the Moroccanness of the Sahara.

I should like, in this regard, to express my appreciation to my brothers the Kings, Emirs and Presidents of Arab sister nations, particularly those of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Djibouti and the Comoro Islands, which have opened consulates in Laayoune and Dakhla. I also wish to extend my thanks to the other Arab countries which have consistently confirmed their support for the Moroccanness of the Sahara, especially the Gulf Cooperation Council States, Egypt and Yemen. In the same vein, I should like to say how much I value the position adopted by our brothers in Africa; approximately 40% of African countries from five regional groups have opened consulates in Laayoune and Dakhla.