El progreso y desarrollo del Sáhara solucionará los problemas

The President of the Regional Council, Yanja El Khattat, affirms that Dakhla has all the elements to attract investment and develop good business in sectors such as tourism, fishing, agriculture, renewable energies and logistics with the forthcoming construction of a large port on the Atlantic, a strategic location. 

Moreover, he believes that democratisation in Algeria plays in favour of a solution to the Sahara conflict, which must take place within the framework of Morocco's proposal for broad autonomy under its sovereignty. Reconciliation with the Saharawis in Tindouf will be easy because we are the same families, even if there will be those who do not want it. President El Khattat believes that the development and progress of the Sahara will solve the problems. Keeps his mask on throughout the interview.

Why can and should a Spanish businessman invest in Dakhla?

There is a development here that can be seen on the ground, Dakhla was a small city during the Spanish period and the Moroccan government's efforts to develop it can be seen. Since 2015, King Mohamed VI has initiated the new economic model for the southern regions with a budget of 8 billion dollars. Today the degree of realisation of the projects is very high, it is 70%. We are connected to the national electricity network, there is a motorway between El Ayoun and Dakhla; 

Its geographical situation is strategic: it is Morocco's gateway to sub-Saharan Africa and commercial traffic is very important, with 300 trucks a day.

What does Dakhla have to offer in the industrial field?

Dakhla is developing a fishing industry that is almost the most important in Morocco with natural resources, and the fishing industry. Agriculture has taken off with cherry tomatoes and red fruits that are known in the European and American markets. Dalja is the first tourist destination in Morocco for water sports. With the efforts of the administration and investors, we have achieved a development comparable to any city in the neighbouring countries.

Is there political stability?

Yes, without a doubt. Political participation is the highest in the country with 70%. Women play an important role in politics and in society in general. In the steering committee of the Regional Council, half of its members are women. In human rights, a representation of children from the area who run the Dakhla, El Aauin and Smara centres has been elected to ensure the application of the rules, of the law, so that human rights are respected everywhere.

Is the Sahara conflict on the way to being resolved?

On the Sahara conflict, as Saharawi representatives of the democratically elected population and members of the Moroccan representation at the UN negotiating table in Geneva with all the parties, Mauritania, Algeria and the Polisario, we are convinced that the only solution to this problem cannot be outside Morocco's sovereignty. 

Our government has presented a proposal for a broad autonomy and, in this case, whoever wants to have a government, a parliament, already has them with autonomy, as it works in Spain and other countries that have this administrative model. The international community described the proposal as serious and credible and we see that it is a good solution for our families who are still living with many difficulties in the Tindouf camps. And it is a peaceful solution, in the middle ground, far from extremes. This is the conviction of the Saharawis who live here, in the southern provinces, we are 80%, in Tindouf there are only 20%.

Did you know the situation in Tindouf when you were a member of the Polisario Front?

I have known the experience of Tindouf, I spent 12 years in the Polisario Front, I arrived here in 1992, I was young, revolutionary, but then you have to look at a pragmatic and serious solution, to be realistic. Now I have been elected by the people as president in a strong battle with only one seat difference, out of 33. I participate in normal life, we live in reality, contributing what we can to our people.  This is the path they have to follow. The Moroccan proposal is a good proposal where nobody loses and nobody wins. Polisario has to decide if it wants to end the problem, but it depends on Algeria. It has to enter into the process proposed by Morocco.

The new political situation in Algeria may be conducive to an agreement...

Morocco's doors are always open and the will is to look for a realistic and pragmatic solution that can be realised in the context of the United Nations Security Council. But the Polisario and Algeria have to decide if they are in favour of peace, Morocco opens the doors to seek a solution and dialogue. The people of Algeria are Morocco's brothers. Democratisation in Algeria is in favour of a just solution to the problem and in favour of cooperation and integration of markets, which are very important. The Arab Maghreb has 100 million inhabitants and a great potential, Europe needs a strong and united partner here. Democracy in Algeria will certainly play a role in solving this problem, but there is an internal battle in Algeria and there are those who do not want it to end...

When will the Geneva negotiating table meet again?

The Security Council is nominating a special representative of the UN Secretary General for the Sahara conflict. Morocco has been proposing autonomy since 2007, a proposal that can solve the problem because it is a realistic one. Morocco is open to dialogue, now the question is for Algeria.

What are Morocco's red lines?

We are very clear, as president of the Dakhla region and elected by the Saharawis, it is a solution under Moroccan sovereignty, that is the limit. Morocco has proposed autonomy within Morocco's sovereignty. That is clear. The others have to show a positive will towards Morocco's proposal.

What role does Spain play?

Spain has known the region historically, it has strong ties with Morocco, it has to support the autonomy proposal.

Could the US initiative to recognise Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara be the trigger for other countries to do the same?

Surely the recognition by the US administration and Trump of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara is a push, for sure. The United States is a member of the Security Council, a world power, knows the details of the case, the initiatives as a member of the Friends of the Sahara and is the one that presents the draft resolution every year at the UN. It has allies such as the United Kingdom, which will soon follow in its footsteps, the European Union or the countries that form it separately.

What do you expect from the opening of the American consulate?

We think that having a US consulate here will help a lot in terms of development, investments and will give us more security. I have always said that the problem of the Sahara can be solved with the development of the region, and whoever does not understand this will do so in the future. The conflict can be solved by having work, housing, education, health, prosperity.

Can we go deeper into how this development will be achieved?

We have great potential in natural resources and in sectors such as renewable energies, fishing, tourism, agriculture and logistics with a new port. All the elements are there for those who want to invest. The infrastructures are good, such as the fishing port, the Spanish port used by the military and the port we are going to build, which will play a very important role in the development of the region. Like Tangier Med.

Spain is next door, we have historical ties, it is Morocco's first trading partner, before France.  We sell a lot of fish to Spain, there are many Spanish companies buying octopus.

Is security guaranteed?

Yes, 100%. There is a defence wall that guarantees security. If there are any skirmishes, it is outside the cities and the Moroccan armed forces guarantee stability and security and are prepared to defend the homeland from any enemy.

Is reconciliation with the Saharawis in Tindouf easy?

Of course, we are the same families, those who are there live in very bad conditions, they cannot move. There are some who don't want to move but the majority of the people do, but they have no possibility of leaving. Moreover, they don't have passports or refugee status, they can't work or travel. There has been no census, the situation there is like a kidnapping, outside the law.

Is Tindouf fed up with the Polisario and the threat of terrorist groups from the Sahel?

These are our assessments, they are kidnapped and people are radicalised and go to the terrorist groups in the Sahel. The Polisario now has no visibility, only the war, which it has been waging for years and has served no purpose. Now there are voices coming out of the Polisario that want an intermediate solution, not to impose ideas that cannot be realised.

Soon there will be a meeting in Geneva to assess the human rights situation in Tindouf, they are stateless. Two young people have been burnt, a fact that must be denounced.

What is your favourite place in Dakhla?

My job as president, but for the others I recommend the good hotels prepared for kitesurfing, the jet skis, good restaurants, the handicraft centre and excursions to the desert or to the white dune. The desert is fascinating...

Do you care about sustainable tourism?

Yes, we are concerned about sustainable tourism, the conditions are restrictive for those who want to invest, for example with water treatment, it is a constant battle.

Are you winning the fight against the coronavirus?

It is the region with the least infections. PCR tests are free at the airport. Before, there was nothing, and now we have to take measures to prevent the number of infections from rising. We have stopped them.