Aminatou Haidar, right. (Photo Courtesy Saharauiak)

In this exclusive interview with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Nigeria, Mr. Mustapha Cherqaoui, he reflected on Nigeria-Morocco bilateral ties, the Western Sahara issue and the UN reform and others. He spoke to Mr. Charles Onunaiju. Excerpt:-

What is the stage of bilateral relation between Morocco and Nigeria?

I should insist that the relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Federal Republic of Nigeria are excellent. There is a mutual backing for the candidatures presented by both countries at the International Organisations. Rabat and Abuja are maintaining official channels for mutual consultations regarding many regional and international issues.

As a recent example of the political dialogue between the two countries, Rabat agreed to support the Nigerian candidacy for a post at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) while Abuja will back the Moroccan bid during other international elections. This is once more, a proof of the good relations the two countries.

I have to remind you here that Morocco was among the first countries to support the Unity of Nigeria during the separatist attempt in late sixties, as he was always backing the unity of all African countries.

What is the level of bilateral trade and other interactions between Nigeria and Morocco?

Unfortunately the economic and commercial cooperation between these two important African countries is not at the level of the expectations, although there are some companies in the private sector from both sides which are breaking the ice and trying to develop a new economic partnership between the countries. There are some sectors that the relevant authorities should give them a priority as agriculture, fisheries, oil products, tourism... I regret also the fact that many of the Moroccan products found in the Nigerian markets are imported through other countries, as there is no direct channels for trade between neither the private and public sectors of both countries.

Nigerian can rely on the Moroccan experience in some fields as waters treatment, irrigation, communications, electricity and dam construction. Many Moroccan companies are already on the ground in some west and central African countries and I don't see why they shouldn't be present in Nigeria.

What is Morocco view on the establishment of African Union government?

As you know Morocco was among the founders of the former (AUO), had helped many African countries to access their independence. It's withdrawn in the eighties from that organization was due to the mistakes by the leaders of some African countries. However, despite that event, Morocco remained involved in the cooperation with most of the countries in the continent, and expressed that commitment by the level of commercial exchanges, the scholarships offered to the African students, and the political and economic support for many African countries.

To answer to your question Morocco will support any process that will lead to the unity of our continent. It's not the time of dismemberment into small entities.

Western Sahara is considered a very serious headache for Morocco. What is Morocco's agenda for resolution of the long drawn conflict?

After the failure of the plan proposed by the special envoy M. James Baker to organize a referendum in the Sahara, and in response to the calls made by the Security Council to the concerned parties to put an end to this issue, the Kingdom of Morocco presented in April 2007 THE "Moroccan initiative for the Negotiation of an Autonomy Statute for the Sahara Region" to the United Nations Secretary General. This initiative which is a result of a wide process of internal consultations, will guarantee to the population of the region a role to manage its affairs through legislative, executive and judiciary powers, under the Moroccan sovereignty and territorial unity.

The UN Secretary General's Personal Envoy M. Van Walsum describes the Moroccan initiative as a realistic solution to this conflict. Some permanent member states in the Security Council as well as many regional and International Organizations expressed the same point of view.

As you know Nigeria was elected last month as non permanent members of the Security Council for the next coming two years, and in this context, the support and the active contribution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to find a fair solution to that conflict will be welcomed and highly appreciated.

It appears the Polisario Movement recognized by the A.U as the legitimate representative of the Saharawi people would have nothing short of independence, and Rabat offers a wide range autonomy but under Moroccan Sovereignty. Is there a possibility of compromise?

Morocco had already expressed its point of view, through its presentation of the initiative of the autonomy of the southern provinces as the only realistic solution. The other parties should have the courage to accept this offer and stop the suffering of the populations held for decades in the Tindouf camps on the Algerian soil.

The negotiations between Morocco and other parties last year in Manhasset under the auspices of the United Nations was a sign of goodwill from our countries to get out the deadlock, but the separatist's obstinacy to organize the referendum by all means, had left no chance to reach a just, acceptable and final solution for this issue.

What went wrong with the James Baker plan for the resolution of the conflict?

Mr. Baker's plan to organize a referendum in the Moroccan Sahara becomes an unrealistic solution. It was just impossible technically to carry out this plan, and that was the opinion of many observers and specialists in that matter.

What is the Morocco's view on the reform of the international system, especially the United Nations?

Morocco is backing the reforms within the United Nations, granting other emerging powers, in Africa; Asia and Latin America the right to become a permanent member in the Security Council.

Morocco has the distinction of been the first country in the world to recognize America as a sovereign state. How does Rabat view Washington in terms of several controversial engagements especially in Iraq. Afghanistan and even its dominance of the contemporary world order?

Morocco is very proud of the privilege to be the first country to recognize this great nation, just after its independence in 1776. As you mentioned, United States is a sovereign state, and is defending its interests. Morocco's policy is not to intervene in the internal affairs of other countries, unless these countries are not violating the international law.

As you know the U.S.A is involved in the search of problems in many international conflicts, especially in the Middle East peace process, and Morocco is backing the American role in order to find a final and acceptable solution to this endless conflict, by the establishment of the Palestinian state to live side by side to Israel. Our country was and still the leader among the countries which backed the Palestinians, and had at that level, coordinates its efforts with the successive American administrations to settle this issue.

Africa seemed obviously at the margins of the entering global economic order. From Morocco's perspective, how would you enter the mainstream?

The continent is still suffering from the results of colonialism, but it's not an excuse for our countries. Africa should be involved more in the new global political and economic order. The African leaders should be courageous enough to carry out deep and radical reforms in all sectors and establish a social and economic justice through the good governance and the consolidation of democratic instances. Human as well as natural resources should be also exploited to reach the aspirations of the populations. We have to fight against Poverty, hunger, unemployment and try to eradicate diseases and illiteracy.

It is time for Africans to relay on themselves and stop counting on others. In this regard a framework for south-south cooperation should be developed between the African countries and other countries or even economic groups from Asia and South America.

Morocco could be a good example for the African countries, as is already developed a triangular cooperation in aim to ease the transfer of technology from developed countries as France, Spain and Japan to some African countries.

I have to underline here also the Moroccan experience of the "National Initiative for human development" launched in 2005 by His Majesty the King Mohammed VI, which allowed millions of citizens in towns and countryside to have access to education, drinkable water, employment, and helped hundreds of thousands of women to develop their own business by granting them small loans.