Resolution Of SADR-Morocco Conflict Would Promote Regional Development - SADR Ambassador

The peaceful resolution of the conflict between Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) over Western Sahara would result in efforts being directed towards regional development, Ambassador Malainin Lakhal, adviser to the SADR's Foreign Ministry, told Sputnik on Monday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th March, 2019) The peaceful resolution of the conflict between Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) over Western Sahara would result in efforts being directed towards regional development, Ambassador Malainin Lakhal, adviser to the SADR's Foreign Ministry, told Sputnik on Monday.

The second roundtable under the aegis of the United Nations will be convened at the UN headquarters in Geneva. The meeting is expected to be attended by representatives of Morocco, the Polisario Front rebel movement of Western Sahara's Sahrawi people, Algeria and Mauritania.

"Resolving the conflict peacefully and in a lasting and fair way will allow the North African and Sahel countries to intensify their efforts, and coordinate appropriately, to find solutions to problems, including through intensive programs of economic and social investments in the border zones that lack development in addition to stronger coordination in terms of security," Lakhal said.

Lakhal stated that Western Sahara faces such issues as terrorism and drug-related crimes, whose resolution depends on reaching a peace agreement with Morocco.

"Western Sahara is located in a region that is affected by terrorism, cross-border crime, drug dealing and migration.

Failing to resolve the conflict peacefully and in respect of international law will likely plunge the North African region into turmoil," Lakhal said.

The previous two-day UN-led roundtable meeting between Morocco and the Polisario Front took place on December 5.

For decades, Morocco has been involved in a conflict with the Polisario Front movement over control of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony that was transferred under control of Morocco and Mauritania in 1973. In 1976, the Polisario Front declared that it had established the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. The partially-recognized state claims Western Sahara, but controls only a small part of it. Morocco has proposed a solution involving granting the restive region autonomy, while the United Nations has voiced support for a referendum on self-determination. SADR has gained wide recognition among African states and by several Latin American and Asian countries, while the Arab League back Morocco's territorial integrity. Numerous countries have withdrawn their recognition of SADR over the years.