AMDH President's Sahara comments spark divide among Moroccans about discussion of national cause

Aziz Ghali, president of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH), ignited a firestorm of controversy with his recent comments on the Moroccan Sahara issue during an Arabi21 podcast.

In the interview, Ghali said that the association initially advocated for self-determination but shifted its stance to support a “negotiated solution that satisfies all parties and prevents war” in light of the ongoing negotiations. 

When asked if this solution should be based on the autonomy plan, Ghali said “no,” arguing that the negotiations facilitated by the United Nations had not yet yielded a definitive outcome.

Aziz Ghali: The Moroccan Association for Human Rights has always had a clear stance. For example, at our fifth conference, our position was in favor of self-determination. However, when negotiations began between the Moroccan government and the Polisario Front, we shifted our position towards a negotiated solution that would satisfy all parties and prevent war in the region.

Interviewer: Do you mean within the framework of autonomy?

Ghali: No.

Interviewer: That’s a serious statement.

Ghali: No, it’s not a serious statement because this is the position of the association.

These remarks have drawn sharp criticism from the National Association of Families of Martyrs, Missing Persons, and Prisoners of the Moroccan Sahara, which said in a statement that it’s offended by Ghali’s comments. 

These comments, the association said, undermine the national cause and disrespect the sacrifices made by the families of martyrs who gave their lives defending the country’s territorial integrity.

The association noted the hypocrisy of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, citing its previous refusal to support the case of Moroccan prisoners held in Algerian jails. 

The association accused Ghali’s organization of double standards since when asked to take up the cause of these prisoners, the AMDH said that they were soldiers and it was the government’s responsibility to secure their release. 

The statement also condemned the association’s alleged support for separatists within Morocco, accusing it of exploiting human rights rhetoric to advance its own political agenda. 

The association called on Ghali and his organization to focus on genuine human rights issues within a framework that respects national interests.

The Bayt Al Hikma Association also denounced Ghali’s statements, describing them as a blatant insult to Morocco’s territorial integrity and a violation of the country’s constitution. 

The association said that it supports the autonomy plan as the only realistic solution to the conflict and called for a thorough investigation into the activities of the AMDH to determine whether it is operating in compliance with the law.

It’s worth noting that Morocco previously endorsed the idea of self-determination.

In 1991, Morocco and the Polisario Front agreed to a ceasefire with the UN’s help. The plan was to hold a referendum where Sahrawis could choose between independence or joining Morocco. 

Morocco agreed to the referendum at first but disagreed with the Polisario Front about who could vote, especially if “Moroccan locals” should be allowed.

Because of this disagreement, the vote didn’t take place, and Morocco later shifted its stance and suggested an autonomy plan instead.

Youness Meskine said that the dispute, ever since the Madrid Accords (1975), has revolved around the meaning of self-determination. Morocco is neither against nor opposed to this principle, he said; rather, it assigns a different meaning to it than that intended by its adversaries. 

Despite the backlash against Aziz Ghali, many journalists and commentators defended his right to freedom of expression. 

Abdellah Tourabi, political journalist, columnist, and show host on 2M, said on Facebook that “a strong country is one that allows people to have different opinions. Even if we disagree, we should be able to discuss our ideas without accusing each other of being traitors.”

Tourabi added that “Aziz Ghali is free to say what he thinks, even if most people disagree. His opinion about the Sahara used to be similar to the government’s in the 1980s, but it was later proven to be wrong and out of touch with reality.”

The journalist concluded by urging that “we should let people have different opinions, even if they are wrong. A strong country is one that welcomes different ideas.”

Another journalist, Zouhair el Ouassini, said that Aziz Ghali, like anyone else, has the right to express his views freely. This is a fundamental right that promotes open debate. 

“However, his sole focus on self-determination as the ultimate solution for Sahara seems outdated in light of today’s rapidly changing world,” El Ouassini added.