During a visit to Rabat to discuss common legislative interests between the two countries, the President of Chile's Senate, Guido Gilardi, called Morocco's autonomy plan "interesting". Gilardi expressed Chile's support for the United Nations to resolve the long-standing Western Sahara conflict. In addition, he praised Morocco's recent democratic initiatives. Read More
QUESTION OF THE DAY: How do you interpret the Senate President's statements on the conflict?
Leave your comments below to have your view heard.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Unrealistic Expectations
Aida Alami, in her New York Times piece “Morocco's Democratic Changes Fail to Appease All”, critiques Morocco’s recent constitutional referendums. Alami points out that critics have viewed the referendum as inadequate, the process as invalid, and the constitutional changes as cosmetic. However, there are a few points that Alami does not take into account in coming to her conclusions.
Firstly, the article fails to realize that Morocco is in a region that is, by all accounts, behind in a democratic institutions. To expect it to change overnight into a constitutional monarchy or some other type of representative government is unrealistic. These processes take time to develop. It took the United States 88 years after its founding to deem that slavery of another individual as illegal. No one, not even Morocco itself, believes that this constitutional referendum fully solves the lack of representative government. The King himself stated in his address to the nation that the new constitution is no silver bullet, saying, “As perfect as it may be, a constitution is never an end in itself, but rather a means for the establishment of democratic institutions.” Put into perspective of the entire Middle East, however, this is an unprecedented step forward. While other regimes have either ignored protestor’s demands, given vague promises, or clamped down on protestors, Morocco has actually introduced a set of reforms and presented it to the people. This will not only have implications within Morocco itself (and the Western Sahara conflict), but also across the broader region. There is admittedly much work to be done, but this is a response to citizens’ demands which should be applauded.
The article states that only 13 million out of the 20 million citizens eligible to vote were actually registered to vote. That comes out to 65% of those able to vote were actually registered. This is not far behind the United States, where the percentage is 71%. Once again, considering the Arab world is just coming into the democratic era, this is a promising number. Also, of those who did vote, 98% voted in favor of the referendum. Of course, this is not “all”, but it is at least indicative of a large number of Moroccans accepting the reforms.
The title of the article itself reveals another flaw in its expectations. The title states that not “all” are happy with the changes. Is this not an obvious statement? No matter what was proposed, would everyone be happy? Such is the nature of a society- there will be some that are happy with certain courses of action, others who would have liked to go a different route. Once again, the United States is an apt example. The current debt ceiling negotiations are guaranteed to not appease somebody. Even on less contentious issues, there is never a 100% appeasement rate. It is not fair to keep such a high standard on such policy initiatives.
Morocco is not “there” yet. Its internal situation, and its issues with Western Sahara, are ever evolving. While it is important for those on the outside to encourage reforms and progress, it is equally imperative that expectations be realistic. It is vital that the context of the region’s history and politics be taken into account when judging the pace of change.
Firstly, the article fails to realize that Morocco is in a region that is, by all accounts, behind in a democratic institutions. To expect it to change overnight into a constitutional monarchy or some other type of representative government is unrealistic. These processes take time to develop. It took the United States 88 years after its founding to deem that slavery of another individual as illegal. No one, not even Morocco itself, believes that this constitutional referendum fully solves the lack of representative government. The King himself stated in his address to the nation that the new constitution is no silver bullet, saying, “As perfect as it may be, a constitution is never an end in itself, but rather a means for the establishment of democratic institutions.” Put into perspective of the entire Middle East, however, this is an unprecedented step forward. While other regimes have either ignored protestor’s demands, given vague promises, or clamped down on protestors, Morocco has actually introduced a set of reforms and presented it to the people. This will not only have implications within Morocco itself (and the Western Sahara conflict), but also across the broader region. There is admittedly much work to be done, but this is a response to citizens’ demands which should be applauded.
The article states that only 13 million out of the 20 million citizens eligible to vote were actually registered to vote. That comes out to 65% of those able to vote were actually registered. This is not far behind the United States, where the percentage is 71%. Once again, considering the Arab world is just coming into the democratic era, this is a promising number. Also, of those who did vote, 98% voted in favor of the referendum. Of course, this is not “all”, but it is at least indicative of a large number of Moroccans accepting the reforms.
The title of the article itself reveals another flaw in its expectations. The title states that not “all” are happy with the changes. Is this not an obvious statement? No matter what was proposed, would everyone be happy? Such is the nature of a society- there will be some that are happy with certain courses of action, others who would have liked to go a different route. Once again, the United States is an apt example. The current debt ceiling negotiations are guaranteed to not appease somebody. Even on less contentious issues, there is never a 100% appeasement rate. It is not fair to keep such a high standard on such policy initiatives.
Morocco is not “there” yet. Its internal situation, and its issues with Western Sahara, are ever evolving. While it is important for those on the outside to encourage reforms and progress, it is equally imperative that expectations be realistic. It is vital that the context of the region’s history and politics be taken into account when judging the pace of change.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Reader Poll: Are Today's Western Sahara Talks Any Different?
With the United Nations has backed a round of informal talks concerning the Western Sahara conflict, expectations are low for a quick resolution.
The talks come at the invitation of Christopher Ross, Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara, continuing an effort since 1976 to negotiate a settlement.
The talks will include Morocco and the Polisario Front, along with the neighboring countries of Mauritania and Algeria. The talks start today and will end on Thursday.
Question: Are today's Western Sahara talks any different than those previously held?
Leave your comments below.
The talks come at the invitation of Christopher Ross, Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara, continuing an effort since 1976 to negotiate a settlement.
The talks will include Morocco and the Polisario Front, along with the neighboring countries of Mauritania and Algeria. The talks start today and will end on Thursday.
Question: Are today's Western Sahara talks any different than those previously held?
Leave your comments below.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Congress Ignorning Western Sahara Issue
Despite last year 54 US Senators sending a letter to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking her to make the resolution of the Western Sahara conflict a top North African priority, no further action has been taken by Congress since to help find a solution to the conflict. The letter pointed out that the region's struggling economy plus the restless youth population were contributing to instability. The Senators expressed concern for terrorism, an issue of immense importance. The Senators even supported the autonomy plan, calling it "serious and credible".However, it seems as Congress has put this issue on the back burner.
Now, with Congress having focused on the deficit, the recent deteriorations with Pakistan, and the war on terror, the Western Sahara issue has seemingly been ignored.
What do you think can be done to draw attention to this important issue?
Leave your ideas in the comment section below.
Now, with Congress having focused on the deficit, the recent deteriorations with Pakistan, and the war on terror, the Western Sahara issue has seemingly been ignored.
What do you think can be done to draw attention to this important issue?
Leave your ideas in the comment section below.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Western Sahara : Chronology and Fact Sheet on Disturbances in Laayoune, Morocco
November 15, 2010 Chronology and Fact Sheet on Disturbances in Laayoune, Morocco
On October 9, residents of Laayoune began setting up a symbolic protest camp in the desert east of the city. People came to the camp from their homes in Laayoune to demonstrate for additional housing and job opportunities to accommodate the growing population.
Over the past year, there has been a significant increase in the influx of refugees from the Tindouf camps in Algeria. The people in the camp believed the recent arrivals received preferential treatment in terms of housing and subsidies based on specific tribal affiliations and the government’s desire to settle newcomers as quickly as possible. Over the next two weeks, Moroccan authorities met with the protestors, who numbered in the thousands, to discuss their grievances.
Committees made up of public authorities, sheiks, elected officials, and representatives of civil society began meeting regularly. What began as a peaceful protest quickly deteriorated into a dangerous situation when a number of known criminals and pro-Polisario militants infiltrated the camp and tried to gain control. On October 24, there was a violent altercation that led to the death of a 14-year old boy.
The car in which the youth was riding attempted to run a checkpoint and came under fire from authorities. After shots were fired and the vehicle stopped, weapons were found in the possession of some of the passengers. In investigating this episode, authorities discovered the infiltration by the criminal element and by pro-Polisario militants who tried to hijack this social protest having nothing to do with Polisario political aims. Last week, authorities concluded that the people in the camp were in danger.
After securing the judicial authorization required by Moroccan law, the decision was made to dismantle the camp in the early morning hours Monday November 8, 2010. The time was determined by the fact that there were the fewest number of people in the camp on Monday mornings, since many of them regularly left the camp to return to their homes in Laayoune for the weekends. On Monday morning, before 6 a.m. local time, authorities sent helicopters with megaphones asking people to leave the camp. A majority of them complied with the request and left. From 6:30-7:45 a.m., anti-riot forces moved into the camp with only anti-riot equipment and water cannons, carrying no weapons. A small group of militants inside the camp fought the anti-riot forces with bottled gas canisters, Molotov cocktails, and knives.
70 Moroccan policemen were injured and 10 killed by the militant group inside the camp. Immediately after the camp was disbanded, small armed groups from the camp went into the city of Laayoune and set fire to targeted buildings including a TV station and a bank. The militants beheaded an unarmed policeman. Following these events, 65 people carrying weapons were arrested and await prosecution. The Polisario and its supporters have made a number of unfounded allegations trying to cover up the deplorable violence committed by their backers.
After examining the camp site, the UN Secretary-General's representative, MINURSO head Hany Abdel-Aziz, gave an account that countered these allegations. He told French daily Le Monde "I saw no trace of bullet cartridges" in the camp authorities dismantled outside Laayoune. Instead, he was “amazed by the number of butane gas bottles" which militants used to set fires.
In addition, Spanish news agency EFE admitted to erroneously publishing 4-year-old Gaza photos supplied by pro-Polisario sources that falsely identified the infant victims as coming from Monday’s unrest in Laayoune. Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said exploiting the photos of injured Palestinian infants was “disinformation” to mislead international public opinion and distort Morocco’s record. He reiterated Palestinian support of Morocco’s efforts to settle the Western Sahara conflict by peaceful means.
On October 9, residents of Laayoune began setting up a symbolic protest camp in the desert east of the city. People came to the camp from their homes in Laayoune to demonstrate for additional housing and job opportunities to accommodate the growing population.
Over the past year, there has been a significant increase in the influx of refugees from the Tindouf camps in Algeria. The people in the camp believed the recent arrivals received preferential treatment in terms of housing and subsidies based on specific tribal affiliations and the government’s desire to settle newcomers as quickly as possible. Over the next two weeks, Moroccan authorities met with the protestors, who numbered in the thousands, to discuss their grievances.
Committees made up of public authorities, sheiks, elected officials, and representatives of civil society began meeting regularly. What began as a peaceful protest quickly deteriorated into a dangerous situation when a number of known criminals and pro-Polisario militants infiltrated the camp and tried to gain control. On October 24, there was a violent altercation that led to the death of a 14-year old boy.
The car in which the youth was riding attempted to run a checkpoint and came under fire from authorities. After shots were fired and the vehicle stopped, weapons were found in the possession of some of the passengers. In investigating this episode, authorities discovered the infiltration by the criminal element and by pro-Polisario militants who tried to hijack this social protest having nothing to do with Polisario political aims. Last week, authorities concluded that the people in the camp were in danger.
After securing the judicial authorization required by Moroccan law, the decision was made to dismantle the camp in the early morning hours Monday November 8, 2010. The time was determined by the fact that there were the fewest number of people in the camp on Monday mornings, since many of them regularly left the camp to return to their homes in Laayoune for the weekends. On Monday morning, before 6 a.m. local time, authorities sent helicopters with megaphones asking people to leave the camp. A majority of them complied with the request and left. From 6:30-7:45 a.m., anti-riot forces moved into the camp with only anti-riot equipment and water cannons, carrying no weapons. A small group of militants inside the camp fought the anti-riot forces with bottled gas canisters, Molotov cocktails, and knives.
70 Moroccan policemen were injured and 10 killed by the militant group inside the camp. Immediately after the camp was disbanded, small armed groups from the camp went into the city of Laayoune and set fire to targeted buildings including a TV station and a bank. The militants beheaded an unarmed policeman. Following these events, 65 people carrying weapons were arrested and await prosecution. The Polisario and its supporters have made a number of unfounded allegations trying to cover up the deplorable violence committed by their backers.
After examining the camp site, the UN Secretary-General's representative, MINURSO head Hany Abdel-Aziz, gave an account that countered these allegations. He told French daily Le Monde "I saw no trace of bullet cartridges" in the camp authorities dismantled outside Laayoune. Instead, he was “amazed by the number of butane gas bottles" which militants used to set fires.
In addition, Spanish news agency EFE admitted to erroneously publishing 4-year-old Gaza photos supplied by pro-Polisario sources that falsely identified the infant victims as coming from Monday’s unrest in Laayoune. Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said exploiting the photos of injured Palestinian infants was “disinformation” to mislead international public opinion and distort Morocco’s record. He reiterated Palestinian support of Morocco’s efforts to settle the Western Sahara conflict by peaceful means.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
'I saw no trace of bullets cartridge' in camp dismantled near Laayun, UN representative
Maghreb Arab Press Friday, November 12, 2010 'I saw no trace of bullets cartridge' in camp dismantled near Laayun, UN representative Paris - The MINURSO's head Hany Abdel-Aziz said he saw no trace of bullets cartridge in the Gdeim Izik camp, which was dismantled by the authorities near Laayoune (southern Morocco). "I saw no trace of bullets cartridge" in the Gdeim Izik camp, the MINURSO's head told the French daily "Le Monde", issue of Saturday. In a damning account against the allegations of the Polisario and its supporters, the UN Secretary-General's special representative said that he was "amazed by the number of butane gas bottles" he found in the camp’s remains. These gas bottles would have been used to set fire, as confirmed by local authorities.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)