William Ruto: Morocco’s Autonomy Plan, The Best Solution to the Sahara Issue
Kenyan Vice President William Ruto affirmed that the autonomy plan for the southern provinces under Morocco’s sovereignty "is the best solution to the Sahara issue."
Kenyan Vice President William Ruto affirmed that the autonomy plan for the southern provinces under Morocco’s sovereignty “is the best solution to the Sahara issue.”
“I declare, in my capacity as Vice President of Kenya, that the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty is the best solution to the Sahara issue,” Ruto said during his meeting with the Moroccan ambassador to Kenya, El Mokhtar Ghambou, on Tuesday evening at his residence in Nairobi.
The vice president of Kenya, who is also running for presidency in 2022, stressed that “the Polisario representation in Nairobi has no meaning.”
According to Ruto, “the conflict over the Sahara is nothing but an excuse to allow Algeria to continue squandering the wealth of its people on lost causes,” adding that “creating a separatist state in southern Morocco is nothing but an illusion fueled by those who do not like peace, unity, or prosperity for African countries.”
Ruto also stressed that his country “should never give up its neutrality, but rather it must work directly with the United Nations to support the peace process related to the issue of the Sahara.”
Regarding the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union, Ruto said that “instead of stirring up useless disputes and divisions within the African Union, this African body must ensure that the territorial integrity of the 54 member states is respected in accordance with the African Union Charter which prohibits interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states.”
He also stressed that Morocco, which he wishes to visit soon, constitutes an “economic model in Africa”, and that “all African countries are invited to draw inspiration from it”, calling at the same time investors and businessmen in Morocco to invest in Kenya.
For his part, Ghambou confirmed that Morocco was disappointed about the position taken by Kenya at the last meeting of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, adding that this central government’s position “contradicts the position expressed by many provincial governors and some senior officials in Kenya.” He added that they expressed their surprise at this unconditional support from Kenya to Algeria, calling on the government to “support the peace process that is taking place under the auspices of the United Nations to find a solution to the Sahara issue.”
On the other hand, the Moroccan ambassador highlighted the multiple business opportunities available in the two countries, adding that Morocco and Kenya, as leaders in their regions, have a lot to gain if they combine their efforts and take advantage of their potential.
In this context, Ghambou referred to the projects that have already been completed or those that are being negotiated between the two countries, especially the commitment of the OCP Group to support the agricultural sector in Kenya, the intention of Marchica Med Agency to invest in Lamu Island, and political and economic partnerships between Moroccan regions and Kenyan provinces, such as the ongoing partnership between the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region and the Mombasa province, the eastern side and Lamu district.