Moroccan Sahara: Saint Kitts Reaffirms Support, Strengthens Ties \ Newslooks \ Washington \. On April 17, 2024, in the Moroccan capital of Rabat, Denzil Llewellyn Douglas, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Economic Development, and Investment of Saint Kitts and Nevis, articulated his nation’s steadfast stance in support of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara territory and its commitment to the kingdom’s territorial integrity.
In a detailed press statement following productive discussions with Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Minister Douglas emphasized his country’s ongoing support for the diplomatic efforts coordinated by the United Nations. These efforts aim to forge a fair and sustainable resolution to the long-standing regional conflict over the Sahara. He praised the Moroccan autonomy initiative, describing it as the “only credible, serious, and realistic solution” to this complex issue.
A joint communiqué issued after the high-level meetings highlighted that Saint Kitts and Nevis’s position is in full alignment with International Law, the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, and adheres to the resolutions adopted by both the UN General Assembly and the Security Council. This endorsement underscores the international community’s varied perspectives on the matter and the importance of a negotiated settlement.
The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis went further, formally recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces and expressing unequivocal support for Morocco’s autonomy plan. This plan is now widely viewed by them as the essential basis for addressing and potentially resolving the artificial conflicts that have long surrounded the Moroccan Sahara.
The joint statement also commended the significant socio-economic development that has been achieved in the Moroccan Sahara, propelled by the Kingdom of Morocco’s substantial investments as part of the New Development Model for the Southern Provinces. This development strategy has markedly enhanced the empowerment of local populations and improved the human development indicators across the region, fostering greater regional stability and prosperity.
Furthermore, in a demonstration of its commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, as a member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, celebrated significant diplomatic milestones with Morocco. These include the opening of the organization’s embassy in Rabat on October 19, 2018, and the inauguration of a consulate general in Dakhla on March 31, 2022. These diplomatic endeavors represent a deepening of ties and a mutual commitment to enhancing diplomatic and economic collaborations between Morocco and the Eastern Caribbean states.
