The city of Laayoune, the largest city in the Moroccan Sahara, hosted former ministers, political activists, university professors and civil experts yesterday, Thursday, as part of the second phase of the “Laayoune, Capital of Civil Society” events, to discuss the topic of “Prospects for the Autonomy Development Project after the UN Resolution and the Declaration of Moroccan Sovereignty over its Saharan Territories.”

Abdelrahim Al-Batwi, a member of the office of the International Civil Society Organization for Citizenship Values, Development and Dialogue “EXSO”, opened the opening session of the scientific symposium, highlighting that this second stop of the “Laayoune, Capital of Civil Society” events is divided into three stages, noting that the first stage includes a roundtable on the subject of the Sahara, and a qualifying training for the benefit of women’s associations in the city of Laayoune, in addition to giving the official launch of the civilizational and cultural encyclopedia of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region, while the second and third stages will organize a roundtable in the cities of Salé and Fez respectively.

In his speech, Al-Batwi stressed the importance of continuing these initiatives in strengthening the role of civil society in the Moroccan Sahara, stressing that “the goal of this event is to lay the foundations for scientific and political debate on local development projects and autonomy, and to contribute to consolidating Moroccan sovereignty and promoting the cultural and social advancement of the southern regions.”

For his part, Mustafa Zabbakh, President of the “Exo” organization, stressed in his speech the context in which this meeting took place, pointing out that this symposium comes as a continuation of the “Laayoune, Capital of Moroccan Civil Society 2025” event, whose first stage was launched on May 23, 2025, highlighting that “this event coincides with the celebration of UN Resolution No. 2797, and confirms the tireless efforts of all actors under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.”

Zabbakh also highlighted the diverse and shared cultural heritage among Moroccans, especially the Hassani heritage in the southern regions, which, according to him, reflects “the cultural sophistication of the region when combined with other literary heritages such as Malhoun,” while praising the collective contribution of all components of Moroccan society in defending the territorial integrity of the Kingdom, and stressing that “civil society is a fundamental element in strengthening these gains.”

Hassan Sligwa, president of the Fes-Saiss Association, praised the pioneering role played by civil society associations in the city of Laayoune and at the national level, recalling that they constitute a fundamental pillar in promoting national issues, foremost among them the issue of the Moroccan Sahara.

Sleigwa emphasized that the Fes-Saiss Association carries out a range of activities and demonstrations that reflect the commitment of civil society to serving various issues, especially in the southern regions, reflecting the influential role of civil society in political and developmental awareness and in formulating tangible programs on the ground.

In his intervention, Abdelnabi Sebaai, Professor of Management Science and Secretary General of the Fez-Saiss Association, focused on the societal role of civil society associations, recalling “strategic plans and development challenges in light of Unity Day,” and stating that “reformulating the role of civil society has become a necessity to qualify it to engage in thinking about projects with a clear and measurable impact on society.”

Al-Saba’i added that this path relies on scientific indicators and methods that enable raising the readiness of civil society to be in line with the goals of the 2011 constitution, which enhances its ability to engage in development and strategic programs that ensure a tangible and sustainable impact at the local and national community level.

Fouad Alouane, Professor of International Law and International Relations at Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Fez, reviewed the structural transformations in the European position on the autonomy initiative, noting that Europe has witnessed a gradual shift towards political realism after decades of hesitation between neutrality and cautious engagement.

Alwan continued: “This change was not an isolated event, but rather the result of a complex interaction between Moroccan diplomacy and civil society, where this dynamic played a pivotal role in strengthening the Moroccan position internationally, especially during the period from 2020 to 2025, which witnessed tangible changes in European policy towards the Moroccan autonomy initiative.”

For his part, Hamada Labehi, President of the Sahara Association for Democracy and Human Rights, focused his intervention on the social and political dimensions of the autonomy framework after the Security Council adopted Resolution 2797 on October 31, 2025, which he described as a “turning point in the Moroccan Sahara conflict.”

Labehi revealed that the resolution explicitly states that autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the most viable formula, redefining the principle of self-determination from independence to internal autonomy. He added that the resolution addresses the various social and political dimensions of the Sahrawi people and presents Algeria with the choice of engaging in a framework that accepts Moroccan sovereignty or remaining isolated from the UN process.

For his part, Abdelwahab Elkain, president of the “Africa Watch” organization, highlighted the context of the adoption of Resolution No. 2797 and the path of implementing the Moroccan autonomy proposal of 2007, noting that this moment constituted a historic turning point in the conflict that has lasted for nearly fifty years, after the United Nations put the Moroccan proposal as the basis for negotiations, while emphasizing that autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the most viable solution.

Al-Kayne also touched on the course of national and regional negotiations launched by Morocco after the decision, recalling that these consultations aim to establish specific implementation mechanisms, ensure the participation of the concerned populations, reintegrate the populations of the Tindouf camps into the national fabric, and establish a comprehensive reconciliation to achieve sustainable social and political stability in the region.

Commenting on the event, Rachid El Bakali, Director of Cultural Affairs at the International Civil Society Organization for Citizenship, Development and Dialogue (ICSO), said that organizing this roundtable comes within the framework of a renewed national dynamic aimed at strengthening the presence of civil society in defending the major issues of the nation, foremost among them consolidating the autonomy proposal as a realistic and practical solution to the fabricated conflict over the Moroccan Sahara.

Al-Bakkali added, in a statement to the Hespress electronic newspaper, that the recent UN resolution reaffirmed the validity of the Moroccan approach, which opened up broad prospects for a new development model in the southern provinces based on governance, local participation, and investment of resources in a way that guarantees human dignity and supports Morocco’s influence in its regional and international environment.

The same speaker pointed out that civil society has become a key partner in shaping future visions, by promoting the values of dialogue and openness, and by safeguarding the gains of territorial unity with a spirit of responsibility and civic vigilance.

Hamid Boudar, director of the International Center for Strategic Studies at the organization, also stressed that the importance of this roundtable lies in keeping pace with the positive transformations that the Moroccan Sahara issue is experiencing after the recent UN resolution, which reinforced the validity of the autonomy proposal.

Boudar explained to Hespress that the current stage requires a strategic vision that involves civil actors and researchers in supporting the development model in the southern regions, in a way that consolidates stability and strengthens Morocco’s position in its regional environment.

The speaker concluded that such scientific and dialogue initiatives represent an important platform for re-establishing development policies and emphasizing the role of civil society in the success of major projects that serve the interests of the nation and its citizens.