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Mohammed Amar, Moroccan ambassador: "Just imagine for a moment that part of Mauritius was declared a ‘sovereign state"

11 décembre 2015, 16:16

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Mohammed Amar, Moroccan ambassador: "Just imagine for a moment that part of Mauritius was declared a ‘sovereign state"

By Touria Prayag, Editor-in-Chief of Weekly.

Your presence here comes just after the Mauritian government has recognised the Polisario Front as a state. Is that a coincidence?

I am here today for the signing of an important convention between Morocco and Mauritius. It’s about non-double taxation between the two countries. The signing was planned several weeks ago. As for the recent recognition by the Mauritian government  of the so-called Polisario front, let me tell you that the position of the Kingdom of Morocco is crystal clear: the southern provinces have been part of the Kingdom forever, the International Court of Justice has ruled that those provinces lived under Moroccan sovereignty for several centuries and thatSahraoui tribes there have always demonstrated their allegiance to the Kings of Morocco. Morocco’s neighbour, Algeria, has never accepted the fact that our southern provinces have returned to Morocco after the Spanish colonisation. The Algerian authorities never accepted to have a strong neighbour, so they wanted to weaken the Kingdom by all means. They have always dreamt about a gate to the Atlantic Ocean and they figured that a puppet state in our provinces would allow them to have it.

But other states too have recognised the Polisario, haven’t they?

Morocco has the support of all the five big powers of the United Nations Security Council. Those big powers support Morocco’s proposal of a political and lasting solution to the issue. Morocco also has the support of the overwhelming majority within the International community. The very few countries that still recognise the so-called Polisario Front will one day realise that they were misled by the Algerian propaganda and that the so-called state, created and financed by the Algerian authorities, simply has never existed and will never exist. Morocco will never abandon an inch of its territory. We will make no concession on our territorial integrity, never ever.

Now, recognizing such an entity today does not facilitate matters. Just the opposite. We had already solved the problem and proposed autonomy for the population in those provinces, a wise proposal that  was acceptedbythe United Nations big powers. I hope this will evolve positively and  that the authorities in Mauritius, in their wisdom,  will go back to Mauritius initial position, which is the non-recognition of that entity.

Just imagine for a moment that part of Mauritius was declared “sovereign state” what would be the reaction of the whole population of this beautiful island? I guess no citizen of Mauritius would ever accept any violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, rightly so, well, the situation is exactly the same in our Kingdom.

The Mauritian government today is made up of several parties. Which of these do you think is responsible for the change of heart in relation to the recognition of the Polisario Front as a people?

I wouldn’t like to get involved in the internal affairs of a sovereign state or point the finger at a particular party but let’s say that there has been pressure which has resulted in this recognition.

What was Morocco’s reaction to this recognition?

Consternation, disbelief but also anger. Anger because Mauritius is considered a friendly state – a dependable friend with whom we were working towards having closer relations in all fields. Everything brings us together. We have the same vision and the same ambitions. Morocco cannot understand this sudden , radical and unfriendly position.

Aren’t there other ‘friendly states’ which recognised the Polisario?

No, friendly states have never recognised the Polisario! The countries who withdrew their recognition of the Polisario – or at least froze it – are much more numerous than the ones who have maintained their recognition. There are only a handful of states that do not recognise that Morocco is in its right in being intransigent about its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

 

 

This change of position is manifestly related to the change of government, isn’t it?

Your former government decided rightly and wisely to withdraw Mauritius recognition of those mercenaries, the current government has decided to reverse that position, would this help find a lasting solution?

You were talking about developing relations with Mauritius. Concretely, what do you have on offer if relations between Morocco and Mauritius are good?

Our countries can cooperate very closely in tourism, for example. We can start negotiations about an airline between Morocco and Mauritius. As far as training is concerned, we have excellent schools in hotel management and tourism.  Finance, fishing, security, exchange of information and fight against terrorismare some of the fields where Morocco can share its vast experience.  We can also help with social housing as we have done in many West African countries. There is no shortage of areas of cooperation. But to improve the relationship between Morocco and Mauritius, there is an issue which is fundamental for Morocco and which is sacred for Moroccans – it is the sovereignty.

Is Morocco still going to open an embassy in Mauritius?

Yes indeed. We do believe that the high authorities in this beautiful island, in their deep wisdom, experience and maturity, will soon revert from this recognition and the sky will be bright again between our two countries. A Moroccan Embassy in Port-Louis will open huge perspectives, it will be a win-win situation for both countries.

At what stage is this decision?

I am currently looking for premises for the embassy and for the residence. That is already in the pipeline. So, it will happen in the next few months.

Will that depend on whether Mauritius reviews its position in relation to the Polisario?

Let’s say that if Mauritius withdraws its recognition, it will be a lot easier and Morocco will make extra efforts to improve the relations.

What was the outcome of your meeting with the Mauritian ministers?

It was very useful because it allowed me to present the position of Morocco. That Morocco is in the right to have sovereignty over its Southern provinces, that time, the law and history are on the side of Morocco.

What was their reaction?

They listened and they now know that Morocco’s position is firm, that it has not changed in the last 40 years and that it is not likely to change in the next 40.

As an ambassador to Mauritius, you may be aware of a number of cases of Moroccan women who have big problems adapting to this country. What measures are you going to take to help them out?

Yes, I have heard of Moroccan women being ill-treated here. Opening an embassy here is also a way to respond to the need to deal with such cases. There are cases of violence against them, of lack of care etc. and this comes primarily from the fact that some do not know their rights. There are also cases of women who were told one story and found out another one when they landed here. The embassy will help them know their rights and their obligations and will work closely with a law firm to defend them when the need arises.

What is the typical profile for Moroccan women married to Mauritians?

There is no one single profile. There are editors, lecturers, there are businesswomen, housewives… At times some of them do not know their rights. Hence the need for consular services to help them out. They need to know their rights as well as their obligations towards this country so that there is a symbiosis and harmony between this community and their host country and so that they adapt better.

What according to you is the cause of this lack of adaptation?

I have spoken to many Moroccan women in this country. There is a small minority of Moroccan women who have problems of adaptability. As I said before, some do not know their rights. Some were lied to before they came. But we are talking about a small minority. One should not extrapolate and give this issue more importance than it deserves.

What is your mood as you are leaving Mauritius?

Positive and optimistic.