Gambia reaffirms its strong support for the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, which, for us, represents a serious, viable and compromise solution to resolve this regional dispute and ultimately contribute to the security and stability of the Sahel region," said the Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Gambia to the UN, Lang Yabou.


Mr. Yabou said his country considers that the Autonomy Initiative presented by Morocco in 2007 also meets international standards as well as the principle of self-determination.


Gambian diplomat also stressed that "any credible discussion on the Moroccan Sahara must take into consideration the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Morocco, in particular in developing a constructive and lasting approach to resolve this dispute".


"Gambia recognizes the credible efforts made by the Kingdom of Morocco in this regard and stands ready to support its efforts in the quest for peace and stability in the region", said Mr. Yabou, adding that the Gambia inaugurated on January 7 a "consulate general in the Moroccan city of Dakhla, with a view to strengthening diplomatic relations between The Gambia and Morocco".


"We continue to encourage all other stakeholders (...) to undertake positive efforts to move forward in the ongoing political process," said the Gambian diplomat, stressing that the holding of the two round tables in Geneva, with the participation of all the concerned parties (Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, Polisario) is "a positive development".


He also welcomed the agreement of all the participants to meet for a third similar round table.


"We are convinced that the continuation of this political dialogue will give excellent results to resolve this regional dispute", he said, adding that the participation of the Vice-Presidents of the two regions of the Moroccan Sahara in the regional seminar of the C24 in Granada in June 2019, is "a sign of engagement" in the political dialogue.