A U.S. Bipartisan House Resolution has condemned the collusion between the Polisario separatist front and the Lebanese Chiite group, Hezbollah, as well as Iran’s destabilizing aims in North Africa and beyond.
Introduced by congressmen Joe Wilson (R-SC), Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA), the Resolution says Morocco remains “a strong ally and partner for peace in the Middle East and North Africa”, expressing support to the UN efforts to reach a peaceful resolution of the Sahara conflict.
The lack of resolution to the Sahara regional conflict for more than 40 years inhibits the regional security and economic prosperity of North Africa, says the text, praising the efforts made by Morocco which has long sought a resolution of this issue through a negotiated process, offering autonomy for the region under its sovereignty.
For over 10 years and across three Administrations, United States officials have characterized the proposal for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as both ‘‘serious and credible’’, adds the House resolution.
It recalls UN Security Council Resolution 2414 (2018), proposed and supported by the United States, that criticized provocative actions by the Polisario Front in the Sahara territory and called for the ‘‘immediate withdrawal’’ of the Polisario Front from portions of the Sahara and for the group ‘‘to refrain from [any] destabilizing actions’’.
The bipartisan resolution also cites Morocco’s recent decision to sever diplomatic ties with Iran due to its purported support, along with that of the Lebanon-based Hezbollah militia, for the Polisario Front.
The Government of Iran has provided monetary and other forms of material support to terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah, whereas the United States has designated Hezbollah in its entirety as a foreign terrorist organization.
According to the resolution’s authors, the efforts of Iran and Hezbollah to maintain influence in North Africa run counter to the national security objectives of the United States, which has a significant national security interest in the stability and economic prosperity of North Africa.
The text says that the House of Representatives “reaffirms its support for the Kingdom of Morocco as our oldest ally and as a partner in combating terrorism and promoting stability and prosperity in North Africa”.
It condemns “any action by the Government of Iran or by Hezbollah that promotes instability in North Africa” and reaffirms that Morocco’s autonomy plan is serious, realistic, and credible, and represents a path forward to satisfy the aspirations of the people in the Sahara to run their own affairs in peace and dignity”.
The House bipartisan resolution “calls on President Trump, the Secretary of State, and the Ambassador to the United Nations, to assist the United Nations in supporting a peaceful agreement to the Sahara conflict that is consistent with the United States position and will be enduring and enforceable”.
