A policy dialogue in northern Italy has renewed international attention on Morocco’s autonomy proposal for the Sahara, with participants describing it as a practical governance model for balancing regional self-rule with national unity.
The discussion took place in Verona, bringing together policymakers, scholars and members of the Moroccan diaspora to examine institutional autonomy models and regional stability frameworks. The forum compared European regional governance experiences with Morocco’s long-standing proposal for its southern provinces.
Speakers broadly argued that the 2007 autonomy initiative advanced by Morocco offers a workable path toward resolving the Sahara dispute, framing it as a stability-oriented approach for the wider Sahel-Saharan region.
Italian Senator Luigi Spagnolli referenced recent international developments, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797, adopted on October 31, 2025, which he said reinforced the autonomy proposal as a basis for ongoing UN-led discussions. He also pointed to Morocco’s constitutional framework as evidence of a state structure built on cultural diversity and territorial cohesion.
Political analyst Marco Baratto drew parallels between Morocco’s decentralisation approach and Italy’s Special Statute for Sicily, arguing that both systems aim to preserve unity while accommodating regional identity and development needs.
Academic Yasmine El Hassnaoui added that the autonomy model reflects a balance between sovereignty and local governance, noting that sustained investment in infrastructure, renewable energy and transport in Morocco’s southern regions has strengthened the viability of the framework.
The meeting in Verona, Verona, concluded with a shared view among participants that Morocco’s autonomy initiative continues to gain traction in international policy debates as a potential solution to long-standing regional tensions involving Morocco and the broader Sahara question.
