Morocco confronts Algeria’s claims regarding the Sahara at the United Nations
The Moroccan ambassador successfully refuted the justifications presented by the Algerian ambassador to criticize the self-governance, emphasizing firmly and unequivocally that the Sahara region is an integral part of Moroccan territory that cannot be relinquished
Morocco countered Algeria’s allegations on Tuesday at the United Nations General Assembly regarding the Moroccan Sahara issue. Moroccan Ambassador Omar Hilal managed to debunk the pretexts put forward by the Algerian Ambassador Amar Benjamaa to criticize self-governance, emphasizing firmly and unequivocally that the Sahara region is an inseparable part of Moroccan territory that cannot be surrendered. This put the Algerian side in a predicament, as reflected in Benjamaa’s heated speech.
According to Hilal, as reported by Hespress, “The Moroccan initiative for self-governance enjoys the support of more than a hundred countries worldwide. Additionally, around 30 countries and regional organizations have opened consulates in the cities of Laayoune and Dakhla, demonstrating their full support for the Moroccan Sahara.”
He added that his country “remains committed to a final political solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, which will enhance development and stability in the region and the African continent.”
The Moroccan ambassador praised the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General and his personal envoy, Staffan de Mistura, in revitalizing the roundtable talks to resolve the conflict, as per UN Security Council Resolution 2654, emphasizing at the same time that “the ultimate solution to this regional conflict will be political, realistic, and practical, based on consensus.”
The ambassador also revealed the development achievements accomplished by the Kingdom in the Sahara region, stating that “within the framework of the new model for development in these regions, the Moroccan government has allocated a budget of up to $10 billion to date, with an 81% completion rate. Several socio-economic development projects have been launched.”
He added, “These projects have made the southern regions a regional hub for trade exchanges between Africa and the rest of the world.” He noted that Staffan de Mistura personally witnessed these accomplishments during his visit to Laayoune and Dakhla in the Moroccan Sahara earlier this month.
Hilal pointed out that these efforts are part of “the high directives of Moroccan King Mohammed VI, as outlined in his speech on the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the Green March on November 6, 2022.”
Omar Hilal also addressed the abuses committed by Algeria in the Tindouf camps, stating that “Morocco is concerned about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the camps.”
He said that “Algeria, as the host country, illegally delegated its authority to an armed separatist group with confirmed and documented ties to terrorist and criminal networks,” referring to the Polisario.
The Moroccan ambassador called on the international community to consider Algeria’s refusal to allow the registration and census of the camp’s inhabitants, a clear and flagrant violation of international law and repeated appeals by the UN Security Council since 2011.
He denounced “the embezzlement of humanitarian aid by Polisario leaders for detainees in the Tindouf camps,” as confirmed by reports from international, regional, and non-governmental organizations, including the latest report by the World Food Programme in January 2023.
For decades, Rabat and Algiers have been at odds over the Moroccan Sahara, the former Spanish colony that Morocco proposes to grant autonomy under its sovereignty, while the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, demands a referendum on self-determination.
The speech by the Moroccan ambassador, which significantly convinced the international community, angered the Algerian ambassador, who demanded the right to reply and launched a series of claims and accusations that no longer convinced the international community, which has become more convinced of the self-governance proposal.
