The separatist Polisario Front is under the greatest diplomatic isolation in 40 years, said Moroccan Prime Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani.
He noted that the number of countries that recognize the movement “has declined in recent years and has become very limited.”
He said 87 countries used to recognize the Polisario, but now “the number has decreased to less than a third, which is a positive and significant development.”
Morocco has adopted several initiatives on the Sahara that are aimed at defending national and territorial integrity and that have earned the country many gains.
Othmani pointed out that the autonomy initiative, which Morocco presented in 2006 that blocked the separatists’ attempt to harm the country’s unity.
He said his Justice and Development Party (PJD) has always stressed the importance of tackling the Sahara issue with not only formal diplomatic action, but through a comprehensive approach that integrates the political and democratic aspects with the humanitarian, developmental, rights and social ones.
Morocco has taken major steps in this regard, he added, noting that these steps need to be bolstered with more political and democratic reforms.
