Belgian Foreign Minister Clarifies Stance on Western Sahara Autonomy Plan

The autonomy plan presented in 2007 by Morocco is "a serious and credible effort, and a good basis from which a solution could be built," Hadja Lahbib had stated during her working visit to Morocco on October 20 and 21. These remarks provoked strong reactions from a group of Belgian university professors, signatories of an op-ed in Le Soir.

According to them, the Moroccan initiative excludes "any possibility of independence of Western Sahara, by excluding that this option be proposed during a future referendum. Yet, the right to self-determination enjoyed by the Sahrawi people also includes, according to international law, the possibility of acceding to independence." And they added: "This is why Belgium’s support for this plan is particularly problematic, as it implies accepting the premise of Moroccan sovereignty."

Faced with the controversy, the head of Belgian diplomacy clarified the remarks she made during her visit to Morocco. "I reaffirmed Belgium’s support for the process led by the United Nations for a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution for all parties," she told the Belga agency. She also mentioned "an invitation to resume the discussions that have been stalled for more than two years and to find a solution." "Belgium is thus in line with the positions held by other European countries such as France or Germany," added the former RTBF journalist.