|
The United Nations Millennium Summit, held from 6th to 8th September 2000, defined the goals that allow for the reduction of poverty by targeting its causes and negative effects. This agenda known as "Declaration of the Millennium" drew 8 goals[1] to be achieved by 2015: "to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger" "to achieve universal primary education" "to promote gender equality and empower women" "to reduce child mortality" "to improve maternal health" "to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases" "to ensure environmental sustainability" "to develop a global partnership for development"
Just like other countries engaged in this process, Morocco has highlighted its adherence to the international dynamic of human development. With the help of international bodies, Morocco has moved toward the adoption and reorientation of its social and economic programmes in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This adherence has been referred to by some international studies that have highlighted that the King "(...) called for rule of law, development (...) of society, and gender relationships in keeping with a modern society (...)"[2]. The human element is at the heart of any development initiative in Morocco, a position that is in perfect harmony with the MDGs. Furthermore, King Mohammed VI in New York mentioned this policy in September 2005 before the United Nations General Assembly in the following terms: "(...) The Declaration of the Millennium we adopted five years ago shows how aware the international community is of the need to act in order to eradicate dire poverty (...)". Following this international engagement, huge development projects were launched. In order to achieve the MDGs by 2015, public authorities have focused their programmes on the improvement of social conditions. Huge projects have been inaugurated with the aim of eradicating poverty, improving education and reducing child mortality. In this context, the human development is not confined to eradicating poverty. It is a development that "(...) aims at creating an inciting environment inside of which all human beings will be able to increase their abilities and enlarge their choices without jeopardizing those of future generations (...)"[3]. Moreover, Morocco organized the first African conference on human development in Rabat in April 2007 in order to set up an implementation strategy of the MDGs. Morocco has therefore engaged in several initiatives, among which is the project of the regional autonomy of the Sahara. I. The adherence of the moroccan autonomy project to the millennium development goals The Moroccan Autonomy Plan for the Sahara is an ambitious project. Among its characteristics is the will to improve the living conditions of the population in that region, in accordance with the human development indicators. Likewise, it is a measure that stems from a national approach. A. Political commitment To achieve the MDGs, the United Nations member states should enclose these goals in their national strategies of human development. In this framework, human development has a fundamental place in the provisions of the Autonomy Project. These provisions are inherent to the enlargement of choices in all the fields of human development. The third point of the Moroccan Autonomy Project was clear in this regard. It asserts that: "This initiative is part of the endeavors made to build a modern, democratic society, based on (...) economic and social development (...)". To achieve this goal, the Project refers to the recommendations of the United Nations concerning the achievement of the MDGs: "The Moroccan autonomy project draws inspiration from the relevant proposals of the United Nations Organization (...)" (Point 11). However, Morocco has already started a development programme for the regions of the South before presenting the Moroccan Autonomy Project. In fact, as part of the national territory, the Southern Provinces benefit, for instance, from a five-year development programme (2004-2008). 226 projects have been implemented in the fields of housing and urban development, fishing, water, environment, infrastructure development, etc. A budget of 7.2 billion dirhams was allotted to the implementation of these projects. This move proves that the Sahara region has always been on the national agenda of development. The Moroccan Autonomy Project is therefore a continuity of the human development process. Yet, the specificity of this Project is that it breaks off with traditional approaches. It is a new vision adapted to the MDGs that allows to inject a new dynamic of the development of the Moroccan Sahara. The Moroccan Autonomy Project has a major concern: the genuine wealth of the region lies in its human potential. The Project shares, therefore, a common end with the MDGs, which is to defend human dignity, equality and the value of equity. B. The moroccan autonomy project: a synergy with the national initiative for human development Considerable efforts have been made in human development throughout the last years. Several projects are indeed underway: The coming into force of the Mandatory Health Insurance in 2005. Active programmes of employment. The reform of education. Social housing programmes. The National Initiative for Human Development, launched on 18 May 2005.
The Moroccan Initiative for the Regional Autonomy of the Sahara is not only a regional approach for human development. On the contrary, it is an initiative that belongs to a societal project known as the National Initiative for Human Development. The King has launched this initiative in line with the MDGs. Tackling the social deficit and helping people with difficulties are its main goals of social rehabilitation. The National Initiative for Human development does not exclude any territory. Its human development projects in the Southern Provinces allow the Sahrawi community to achieve its well-being and to enjoy their right of citizenship. In accordance with the philosophy of the MDGs to which Morocco has adhered, the National Initiative for Human Development "(...) introduces (...) a change of method, keeping its aim for a better targeting of territories and beneficiaries (...)"[4]. During the last three years, more than 12 thousand projects have been achieved for a total cost of 6.6 billion dirhams within the framework of the National Initiative for Human Development. The INDH has become a multidimensional initiative, taking into consideration the political, the sociological, the economic and the cultural dimensions. The goal of the Initiative is to "(...) build a solidarity-based Moroccan society dedicated to political democracy, economic efficiency and social partnership (...)"[5]. Therefore, the Moroccan public authorities express their will to tackle the different socioeconomic problems that face the population. However, the success of the human development lies in the public practices, in the rate of democratic participation and in the technical and financial means initiated. II. The measures carried out in the moroccan autonomy project with a view to achieving human development In order to allow the Sahara region to fulfil a human development, the Moroccan Autonomy Project provides for a set of measures that help carry out the MDGs. A. Regional authorities The existence of regional accountable authorities is a fundamental condition for a good regional governance. The initiation of regional authorities means that the region is capable of assuming the running of local affairs it is entrusted with. Therefore, the implementation of regional interest is eminently related to the accountability of the regional authority which is the key player in piloting the regional policy of human development. This is guaranteed by Point 12 of the Moroccan Autonomy Project. It states that: "In keeping with democratic principles and procedures, and acting through legislative, executive and judicial bodies, the populations of the Sahara autonomous Region shall exercise powers (...)" in different fields. Executive authority shall lie with a Head of Government, to be elected by the regional parliament and shall be invested by the King. As to the regional parliament, it shall be made up of members elected by the various Sahrawi tribes, and of members elected by direct universal suffrage, by the Region's population, in accordance with the principles of representative democracy. The region shall have courts set up by the regional parliament. These jurisdictions shall give their rulings in complete independence, in the name of the King. Regional courts are one of the foundations of the regional power. There shall be no democratic governance without bodies having the authority to make decisions. In fact, rendering the regional authorities accountable brings about a better structure of interventions and a harmony in development policies. Consequently, the region's bodies intervene in the local administration, economic and social development (housing, health, education, etc.), environment, infrastructure and the region's budget and tax system. Rendering the regional authorities accountable is a necessary condition for sound governance of the territory. The regional authority is the sum of several conditions among which is the accountability of the regional players themselves. Regional institutions help reduce disparities and improve the assessment of the needs expressed by the territory in human development. It is an administration model of proximity. In fact, one of the prerequisites for human development lies in local governance anchored in the local conditions. Only local actors can work out local problems. Consequently, the credibility and the legitimacy of regional governance depend on the existence of accountable regional authorities. These same authorities shall allow for a better mobilisation for the financing of human development. B. Financing The mobilisation of financial resources is one of the thorny problems faced by the international community in the achievement of the MDGs. The International Conference on Financing for Development, held in March 2002 in Mexico tried to find solutions to the problem of financing development. It offered to the local actors opportunities in a view to find the necessary funds to carry out the MDGs. The integrated approach of financing is one of the proposed solutions. The MDGs offer a precise reference framework related to the financing policy that should be adopted. Sustainable structures should be developed and organized to help find funds and ensure an optimal assignment. Moreover, local investment should be encouraged. Morocco is among the 79 countries that adhered to the Declaration of 14 September 2005 on innovative sources of financing for development. Adapting national and regional policies to the recommendations of the MDGs is the guiding principle of Morocco's action in human development. The Moroccan Autonomy Project pursues the approach of integrated development based on internal financing. Indeed, Morocco has made of financial autonomy a basis for the regionalization of the Sahara. Point 13 of the Moroccan Autonomy Project ensures that: "The Sahara autonomous Region will have the financial resources required for its development in all areas (...)". Likewise, Point 5 predicts that the populations "(...) will have the financial resources needed for the region's development in all fields, and will take an active part in the nation's economic, social and cultural life" The financing structure that will enable the Sahara region to implement the MDGs consists of a range of resources, such as taxes, duties, proceeds from the exploitation of natural resources allocated to the region, the share of proceeds collected by the State from the exploitation of natural resources located in the region, proceeds from the region's assets, etc. Almost all the financing of the Sahara region comes from its own resources. The Moroccan Autonomy Project is therefore respectful of the recommendations of the MDGs that focus on the mobilisation of internal financing for the sustainability of human development. In other words, an endogenous human development can be carried out only with endogenous financial resources. However, as part of the reinforcement of financing resources, the region shall continue to benefit from subsidies assigned to it in the framework of national unity. C. Participation Participation is a foundation of local democratic governance. Participative democracy is a complement to representative democracy. Consequently, local governance is the intervention of several local actors in the administration of the region. The access of participative structures to the decision making process at the local level allows for paying great attention to the most disadvantaged social groups. The emergence of a participative type of development tends to complete the action of the regional authorities. Encouraging the community participation in the administration of the region helps enlarge the choices and the orientations of the regional policies. Within this approach, the Moroccan Autonomy Project relies on a participative policy for the achievement of the MDGs. Point 26 of the Moroccan Autonomy Project states that: "An Economic and Social Council shall be set up in the Sahara autonomous Region. It shall comprise representatives from economic, social, professional and community groups, as well as highly qualified figures". Point 4 ensures that "Through this initiative, the Kingdom of Morocco guarantees to all Sahrawis, inside as well as outside the territory, that they will hold a privileged position and play a leading role in the bodies and institutions of the region, without discrimination or exclusion". By adopting the participative approach, the Autonomy Project guarantees the involvement of the local populations in the projects that concern them.
[1] See the United Nations website for the Millennium Development Goals (MDG): http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/. [2] « Moving Out Of Poverty in Morocco », a study by the World Bank, July 2007, p.iv. [3] Report on 50 years, « Le Maroc du Possible », 2005, p.7. [4] Report on 50 Years, op.cit., p.75. [5] Extract from the Royal speech on the occasion of the 4th International Conference on the development of Africa in 2008 in Tokyo. Fatima Zidouri
Professor at the faculty of law, Mohammedia
|
