Ivory coast backs Morocco’s autonomy plan for western Sahara at un forum

The Ivory Coast has once again voiced its unwavering support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative aimed at resolving the long-standing regional dispute over Western Sahara. This commitment was reaffirmed during a recent regional seminar of the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization (C24), held in Managua, Nicaragua.

The Ivorian delegation emphasized that the Moroccan proposal, backed by approximately 130 countries—including three permanent members of the UN Security Council—aligns with international law, the UN Charter, and relevant UN resolutions.

Highlighting the significance of UN Security Council Resolution 2797, adopted in 2025, the delegation noted that the initiative uniquely addresses the specific needs of Western Sahara. It empowers local residents to play an active role in shaping the region’s political and socio-economic landscape, they explained.

Politically, this framework allows populations in the region to elect their own representatives at both local and national levels through regular democratic elections across the Kingdom. The Ivorian delegation commended the participation of elected officials from Western Sahara in the C24 discussions, underscoring the region’s integration into Morocco’s political system.

On the economic front, the delegation pointed out that inhabitants of southern provinces have directly benefited from substantial investments under the New Development Model launched in 2015. These initiatives have significantly boosted living standards and improved the Human Development Index in Western Sahara, they noted.

The delegation also praised Morocco’s efforts to promote and protect human rights, citing the establishment of regional commissions by the National Human Rights Council in Laâyoune and Dakhla. Enhanced cooperation with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights was also recognized as a key achievement.

While commending Morocco’s numerous efforts to foster a compromise solution, the Ivory Coast underscored that these tangible actions underscore the credibility of the broad autonomy initiative. This plan grants residents of Western Sahara substantial autonomy and decision-making authority, they concluded.