The government of the African country pronounced its support for the Moroccan position before the IV Committee of the United Nations General Assembly

Togo renews its support for Morocco on the sovereignty of Western Sahara

Puesto fronterizo entre Marruecos y Mauritania en Guerguerat, situado en el Sáhara Occidental - AFP/FADEL SENNA — AFP/FADEL SENNA - Morocco-Mauritania border crossing point at Guerguerat, Western Sahara

Enrique Fernández

10/10/23

The Togolese government reaffirmed its attachment to Moroccan territorial integrity and to Western Sahara as a "sovereign region of Morocco" and joins the long list of states which align their position with that of the Kingdom of Morocco. The United States, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Hungary are just some of the main supporters of the North African country. Support that Togo has decided to maintain.

Morocco considers Western Sahara as its own territory within the so-called 'southern provinces' and has proposed a formula of broad autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, granting the Saharawis significant self-rule in a variety of areas, while reserving authority over security and foreign policy to the Moroccan state. All this while respecting the principles of the UN (United Nations).

PHOTO/AFP - Esta fotografía de archivo muestra banderas de Estados Unidos y Marruecos junto a un mapa de Marruecos autorizado por el Departamento de Estado de EE. UU. que reconoce el territorio en disputa internacional del Sáhara Occidental (con la firma del embajador de Estados Unidos en Marruecos, David T. Fischer) como parte del reino norteafricano — **PHOTO/AFP -** This file photo shows US and Moroccan flags next to a map of Morocco authorised by the US State Department recognising the internationally disputed territory of Western Sahara (with the signature of US Ambassador to Morocco David T. Fischer) as part of the North African kingdom

The Togolese delegation reiterates its commitment to the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty and renews its support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative, which is clearly the compromise solution to this regional dispute in accordance with international law," said Koffi Akakpo, President of the Republic of Togo, addressing the UN.

The Togolese representative praised the Alawite Kingdom's dedication to the development of "its southern provinces" and cited the investments and initiatives carried out in the framework of the new development strategy for these provinces.

The Togolese official recalled that the model was introduced by King Mohammed VI in 2015 which helped increase "the feeling of empowerment of the population of the province" and the region's human development indicators.

He also hailed the opening of 30 consulates general of many nations in Laayoune and Dakhla, stressing that these representations seek to strengthen the economic and social opportunities of the region as a centre of development, stability and influence in the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and African regions.

AFP/FADEL SENNA - Puesto de control fronterizo entre Marruecos y Mauritania en Guerguerat, ubicado en el Sáhara Occidental — **AFP/FADEL SENNA -** Moroccan-Mauritanian border checkpoint at Guerguerat, located in Western Sahara

To help achieve an amicable and lasting political resolution to the conflict, the Togolese diplomat emphasised his support for the UN-led political process and Staffan de Mistura, the Secretary-General's personal envoy. He did so by saying that both sides should be given time to reach an agreement.

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