Eastern Caribbean states open consulate in Western Sahara

RABAT (Reuters) – The Organisation of Jap Caribbean States (OECS) on Thursday opened a consulate in Western Sahara, becoming a member of African and Arab nations which have established diplomatic missions there in an indication of help for Morocco’s declare to the disputed territory.

The Dominican Republic’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit mentioned he opened the consulate in Dakhla on behalf of Jap Caribbean member states, a joint assertion from the Dominican Republic and Morroco mentioned.

The Algeria-backed Polisario entrance seeks to determine an unbiased state within the huge and sparsely populated desert area, thought-about by Morocco as its personal land.

Gaining worldwide recognition for its rule over Western Sahara has lengthy been Morocco’s prime diplomatic ambition.

Rabat has mentioned essentially the most it could actually provide as a political answer to the dispute is autonomy below its sovereignty. The Polisario and its ally Algeria reject this and say they need an independence referendum.

Algeria and the Polisario have additionally denounced the opening of consulates within the territory.

Skerrit mentioned his nation backed Morocco’s sovereignty over the territory and its autonomy plan.

Main powers together with France, Germany, and the US and this month Spain and Israel have additionally supported Rabat’s proposal to finish the battle.

For years most nations had backed the thought of a referendum to resolve the problem – which was agreed as a part of the 1991 ceasefire.

Nonetheless, there was by no means settlement on how the vote would happen and in recent times even the U.N. has stopped referring to the thought of a vote, talking as a substitute of looking for a sensible, mutually acceptable answer primarily based on compromise.

(Reporting by Ahmed Eljechtimi; modifying by Barbara Lewis)