by Yossef Ben-Meir
Daily Lobo guest columnist
It is in the interest of Morocco to assist the process of enabling the population of Western Sahara to achieve autonomy in the socio-economic development sector. Specifically, the Moroccan government should catalyze and support the participation of the people of Western Sahara in the planning and management of local development projects. This will bring into reality important ideas the Moroccan government recently set forth in its proposal to the U.N. Security Council for autonomy for the Sahara region and help create a resolution to the 30-year conflict, which is consistent with Morocco's overall objectives and those of the population of Western Sahara.
The participation of local community members in the determination and implementation of projects that meet their vital needs is an expression of federal democracy and autonomy. Morocco's efforts in making possible this form of community development will help clarify for the people of Western Sahara a relationship they can forge with Rabat that genuinely helps further their local and regional goals. Also, if communities in Western Sahara achieve socio-economic development based on their own ideas of development, and if they see the Moroccan government playing an indispensable role in the process, Morocco will benefit in a future referendum on autonomy. Indeed, Morocco should create the conditions whereby the Western Saharan population perceives "autonomy within Moroccan sovereignty" (Morocco's stated position) as providing the best opportunity to significantly advance community interests and development. Morocco's support in the form of investment, training and providing an enabling political environment for participation in development will improve its relationships with Western Saharan communities and advance reconciliation, as the process will build social capital.
Based on a cost-benefit projection taken from a rural development initiative for a remote area in Morocco, a $25-million budget over a two-year project duration will enable about 100,000 people to determine and implement development projects that generate wide-ranging socio-economic benefits such as jobs, income, education and health. The process can begin by transferring skills to local people such as teachers, government and non-government personnel.
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Morocco's autonomy proposal suggests a transition, as did some earlier proposals, to help resolve the conflict. Morocco should spare no effort during a transition, or even now having submitted their autonomy plan to the U.N. Security Council, which drew a supportive resolution in response, to promote participation in development in Western Sahara. This will strengthen Morocco's bonding with the region. Participatory community development in Western Sahara spearheaded by Morocco can create a new reality that will lead to the fulfillment of Morocco's essential interests while allowing for conditions of self-determination sought by the Saharan people.
Yossef Ben-Meir teaches sociology at UNM. He is a former Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco, and president of the High Atlas Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports rural development in Morocco.
