Morocco announces application for non-permanent place in the UN

Nthe intervention, just on the eve of the Moroccan legislative elections today, Nasser Bourita said that the candidacy reflects the country’s commitment to “maintaining international peace and security”, as well as “the strict compliance with the standards of international law and the principles of national sovereignty and territorial integrity of states”.

Morocco’s candidacy, added the Moroccan Foreign Minister, is the culmination of the country’s contributions to the consolidation of three pillars of the international system: “keeping peace and security, promoting sustainable development and the rule of law”.

The initiative coincides with a climate of tension in the country after the mass shift of immigrants to the Spanish city of Ceuta, between 30 and 31 July, which caused at least 141 deaths, according to civil organizations, tensions with Madrid and the greatest migration crisis between the two countries.

Morocco was part of the Security Council on three occasions: 1963-1964, 1992-1993 and 2012-2013.

In addition, Bourita called on the international community to strengthen its response to the growing threat of non-state armed groups.

The influence of these groups, he added, poses risks for “state security, sovereignty and stability” and can reach strategic, narrow maritime routes “and potentially affect international navigation.”.

The Moroccan chief of diplomacy called for an international response so that states that “sponsor, finance, arm or provide refuge to these groups assume not only political but also legal and otherwise.”.

The minister also defended before the Assembly Morocco's plan of autonomy for the Western Sahara and stated that the situation gave a “historical turn” after Security Council Resolution 2797 last October.

Morocco is in conflict with Algeria, which supports the independent Sarawi Polisario Front, and closely monitors the situation of its neighbours in the Sahel, governed by military juntas and marked by frequent clashes with jihadist groups.

Bourita also referred to the Palestinian question to ensure that it is a “constant priority” in Morocco’s foreign policy.

“ The establishment of a just and lasting peace depends on the creation of an independent, sovereign and viable Palestinian State based on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, which coexists with the State of Israel in peace and security,” he said.

The minister called for “respect for the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip and for sufficient provision of humanitarian aid and other resources without obstacles or restrictions”.

The statement by Bourita follows the recent agreement signed between Morocco and Israel, with Washington's sponsorship, to raise the level of its diplomatic relations and move towards the opening of embassies in both countries, a new step towards strengthening its bilateral ties.

The new agreement, reached last week in New York, provoked criticism between civil organisations and leftist groups in Morocco.

The approach to Israel was formalized in 2020 when the two countries announced the normalisation of their diplomatic relations with US mediation in exchange for Washington's support for Morocco in their proposal for Western Sahara.