By Lee Jon Young

 

“Moroccan Sahara is a successful model of autonomy in action in the Maghreb and Africa, just as Jeju is a successful model in Asia,” said Amb. Chafik Rachadi of the Kingdom of Morocco to Korea on Nov. 24.

Delivering an address Amb. Richadi said, “The Broad Autonomy Initiative for the Sahara Region, presented by Morocco in 2007, qualified as “serious and credible” by the UN Security Council and the international community, has proved to be not only a basis for peace, but a springboard for development. The region is becoming an economic hub, a leading center of cooperation, and a geostrategic space dedicated to stability and shared prosperity.”

 

 

Amb. Richadi     quoted His Majesty, the King, Mohammed VI, as saying, “Morocco remains resolutely and earnestly committed to the political process, under the exclusive aegis of the United Nations Organization. The desired settlement can be none other than through Moroccan full sovereignty and within the framework of the autonomy initiative”. 

Noting that these territories are enjoying comprehensive development, including infrastructure as well as economic and social projects, Amb. Richadi said, “The developments are not simply good but an essential link between Europe, the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa. Notably, the new transportation infrastructure and utilities (Atlantic port of Dakhla) represent the vision my country has for connection and stability throughout the Sahara. Thanks to these projects, the Saharan regions have also become an open and attractive space for investment.”

 

 

He added, “Since the recovery of the Moroccan Sahara, for every dollar of revenue from the region, Morocco invests seven dollars within a framework of solidarity. The result is plain to see: in 1975 the Human Development Indicators showed that this region lagged by 6% behind the northern areas. However, in the present day, those indicators far exceed the average for other regions. 

 

“Further, the population of the Moroccan Sahara registers the highest voters’ turnout at the national level and democratically chooses representatives to the Parliament every election without incident, as confirmed by all international observers and the UN Secretary General.”

 

 

Delivering a lecture at the seminar, Dr. Kwak Young-hoon, president of the United Nations Association (Republic of Korea) said, “We can consider autonomy a balanced solution that guarantees self-determination to the concerned population and a democratic management of their affairs, without threatening the sovereignty of States or encouraging the balkanization of international community.

“Also, there other factors resulting from recent transformations in international development that are important to take into consideration when thinking about autonomy as a mechanism that helps unify the State’s power and save it from the problem of division into small new States, namely, mass migration; food catastrophe; demographic transition and imbalance (from 8 to 10 billion); and climate change and global boiling.

 

 

Ko Yun-ju, ambassador for international relations at Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, introduced the Jeju province, saying, “The Jeju province has been making it exceptional and different form other Korean provinces, while also exploring the history and progress behind the self-governing status since 1991.”

Kim Yoo-won, visiting researcher, Institute of African Studies, HUFS, said, “If a certain region has sufficient autonomy, there is an unlikelihood of separatist conflicts. Political elites in the region already enjoy their autonomy over the region, it will be more beneficial to restrain radicalism and to use their power access to the resources under the unified state system. 

 

 

“This incentive could be very strong, since at the individual level, the residents in the region also want economic prosperity and a sense of stability, far from vulnerability. Therefore, enhancing regional autonomy is regarded as one of the strategies to bring peace and stability to the country.”

 

Dr. Abdellah Achach, Researcher in International Law, Diplomat at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco, said, “I highlight the various economic opportunities that the Moroccan Sahara is currently experiencing and its development aspirations through the Autonomy Plan, in light of the Royal keenness to rehabilitate the coastline part of the Moroccan Sahara region bordering the Atlantic.”

 

More than 100 distinguished guests from various segments of Korean society, as well as the ambassadors and other senior officials from the Seoul Diplomatic Corps, attended the symposium. 

 

The following is the full-text of the address by Amb. Chafik Rachadi of the Kingdom of Morocco to Korea at the Symposium on “Autonomy as a Relay for Development - Comparative Approach.”

 

Excellencies Ambassadors, Chargés d’affaires and Diplomats, Dr. Kwaak Young-Hoon, president of the United Nations Association of the Republic of Korea, H.E. Mr. Lee Tae-ho, Former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Lyeo Woon-ki, president of Korea Africa Foundation, H.E. Mr. Kim Chang-Mo, Secretary General of Korea Arab Society, H.E. Mr. Ko Yun-ju, Ambassador for International Relations of Jeju Province, Mr. Seung hyun chang, Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Morocco in Incheon, Professor, Ms. Kim Yoo-won, Researcher at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Professors, researchers, presidents and chairmen, Media representatives, Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Peace is a verb. Billions of people across the world hope and pray for peace. It is a dream shared by all humans from every language, background, creed and experience. But that verb not only implies but demands action. Active choices and active behaviors build the peace, of course, but actions also maintain that peace in the face of challenges, both within and without.

Within a family, some are born with separate personalities, even though raised in the same background. Wise families know that in order to stick together, each member has to be self-determined and self-governed so that they can offer the best of themselves both within their family and to the world beyond. I am sure many of us are already thinking of examples in our own families; the children growing up and leaving the nest, a sister pursuing her own path, a grandfather retiring to follow his dreams later in life. Rather than enforce rigid control and demanding that each member fit into their prescribed roles, a wise family embraces the diversity.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let us take this wisdom that builds strong and diverse families and zoom out to look at it on the national and global scale. History provides us with many examples of balkanization and countries fragmenting into smaller nations, mostly as the result of political deadlock. One of the main disruptive forces that jeopardizes stability, ignites conflict, and obstructs a nation’s development goals is this separatism. Like families that split, each member is left more vulnerable and with fewer resources.

Indeed, both history and modern times provide us with an alternative that is much more hopeful. It is the path of Autonomy. In fact, it is the principle of Autonomy and its pivotal role in promoting peace, security, and economic development that allows wise families and countries/States to grow together while remaining strong and united, and that wisdom extends to self-determined and self-governed provinces of various nations. Both Jeju Special Autonomous Province in the Republic of Korea and the Moroccan Sahara in the Kingdom of Morocco stand as successful examples of the developmental benefits and potential of pursuing autonomy as a concept for ensuring peace in countries that include diverse regions.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Throughout our history, the Kingdom of Morocco “walks the walk” by being a land where different cultures coexist. The history of the autonomous region takes that quite literally.

In 1975, in a historical speech, His Late Majesty King Hassan II called upon His citizens and 350,000 unarmed Moroccans, men and women, answered the call and marched into the Morocco Sahara to peacefully assert the sovereignty of the country. I quote : “Tomorrow, God’s willing, you will penetrate the border. Tomorrow, God’ willing, the Green March will be launched. Tomorrow, God willing, you will step on a part of your territory, touch the sand of your Sahara and kiss the soil of your beloved nation”. 

A few months later, on March 12th 1976, His Late Majesty King Hassan II received a Letter from the former President of the Republic of Korea, H.E Park Chung Hee, congratulating His Majesty for the victory achieved through the recovery of the Sahara. I quote “I am delighted to note the great victory that you have achieved through recovering the Sahara territory”. End of quote.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Just as a family will reach out its arm, putting peace as a verb into action, Morocco was embracing a region that historically had always claimed Moroccan connection and identity. Morocco’s political system rely on the Bey’a (oath of allegiance) to the Sultan/King. The Kingdom was defined so much by the territory as a geographical expansion as by the Bey’a, sworn by Sahara tribal chiefs and dignitaries, as a bond of sovereignty.

In this vein, as a token let me quote His Majesty Mohammed VI Words : "The definite jurisdiction of the Moroccan State and the legal ties of allegiance which have existed, since time immemorial, between the Kings of Morocco and the Moroccan populations inhabiting these territories - which have always been so dear to the hearts of Morocco’s Monarchs - are both well-established and undeniable". 

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let us fast forward to the present. Moroccan Sahara is a successful model of autonomy in action in the Maghreb and Africa, just as Jeju is a successful model in Asia.

The Broad Autonomy Initiative for the Sahara Region, presented by Morocco in 2007, qualified as “serious and credible” by the UN Security Council and the international community, has proved to be not only a basis for peace, but a springboard for development. The region is becoming an economic hub, a leading center of cooperation, and a geostrategic space dedicated to stability and shared prosperity.

Quoting His Majesty, the King, Mohammed VI, “Morocco remains resolutely and earnestly committed to the political process, under the exclusive aegis of the United Nations Organization”, stressing that “the desired settlement can be none other than through Moroccan full sovereignty and within the framework of the autonomy initiative”. 

These territories are enjoying comprehensive development, including infrastructure as well as economic and social projects. In a region that started with limitless potential, the developments are not simply good but an essential link between Europe, the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa. Notably, the new transportation infrastructure and utilities (Atlantic port of Dakhla) represent the vision my country has for connection and stability throughout the Sahara. Thanks to these projects, the Saharan regions have also become an open and attractive space for investment.

Since the recovery of the Moroccan Sahara, for every dollar of revenue from the region, Morocco invests seven dollars within a framework of solidarity. The result is plain to see: in 1975 the Human Development Indicators showed that this region lagged by 6% behind the northern areas. However, in the present day, those indicators far exceed the average for other regions. Further, the population of the Moroccan Sahara registers the highest voters’ turnout at the national level and democratically chooses representatives to the Parliament every election without incident, as confirmed by all international observers and the UN Secretary General.

Truly, the autonomy initiative has been a boon for both the region, the kingdom, and the surrounding area. Again, with honor, I would like to quote His Majesty King Mohammed VI eloquent words : “We have gained more backing for our foremost cause from the international community thanks to a better understanding of the circumstances and considerations underpinning the issue of our territorial integrity. As a result, there is growing support for our judicious autonomy initiative”. 

Ladies and Gentlemen,
In today’s symposium, we have benefited from expert opinions and thoroughly researched information that brings home to us the positive, essential qualities of autonomy as a way to practice self-determination on the road to peace and security. The demonstration of its success plays out in this region, with Jeju, and in my own country, with the Moroccan Sahara. Hop a flight to either of those places and we can see the real-world evidence of that success for development and peace. Whether we are standing on the beautiful sands of Hamdeok or Dakhla, we can all appreciate that peace as a verb is a worthy action to take.

Heartedly and at a human level, we recognize that Autonomy to be true both in large-scale politics and also in the wisdom of our families. By actively reaching out our hands to help each diverse member and holding out our arms to embrace their difference within the whole, we create an environment that ensures both security and prosperity for everyone involved.

As a matter of fact, Autonomy ensures that everyone can bring the best of his diverse voices forward, develop according to his vision, and still fit into the unified whole. I feel inspired and hopeful, considering the successes we can observe and experience at both the micro- and macro- levels of our lives, and I feel confident that everyone here today will share in my sense of hope and determination to apply the wisdom of autonomy as a path for development towards being active for peace in the world.

May we bring the verb of peace to our families, our countries, and our world every day and always.
Thank you.