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Morocco World
2 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Hilale Slams UN Security Council Report for Biased Western Sahara Paragraph
Doha – Morocco's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Omar Hilale, has formally challenged the UN Security Council over a biased paragraph concerning Morocco's Western Sahara in its latest report to the General Assembly. In a strongly-worded letter addressed to the Security Council's president and members, Hilale expressed Morocco's 'profound surprise and firm rejection' of the singling out of 'two parties' in the paragraph about the Sahara. The missive was sent following the Council's adoption of its 2024 informative report to the General Assembly on May 30. The Moroccan diplomat pointed out that the introduction to the Security Council's report specifies in its final paragraph that the section's purpose 'is not to provide an exhaustive list of meetings, developments or Council responses,' but rather 'a succinct and useful overview of the main developments throughout the year.' Hilale blasted the contested paragraph for 'flagrantly deviating' from this directive, which has guided the drafting of previous annual reports. He charged that instead of faithfully reporting the Security Council's position and sincere efforts toward a political, just, and sustainable solution to this regional dispute, it presents 'a partisan and unbalanced reading' of positions expressed within the Council. 'This paragraph reflects only, in a selective and non-contextualized manner, the national position of the introduction's writer and that of a non-permanent Security Council member,' Hilale declared, noting it 'silences the contributions and positions expressed by other members,' thus 'moving away from the consensus within this body.' The ambassador firmly asserted that contrary to the paragraph's claim, the Security Council has established four parties to the political process: Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the separatist Polisario Front, citing them five times in all its resolutions since 2018. Morocco's representative stressed that no report from the Secretary-General nor any General Assembly resolution singles out two parties at the expense of the four stakeholders in the political process. A futile attempt to derail the growing international momentum He added that the writer's biased approach is contradicted by the current international momentum, marked by widespread support for resolving this regional dispute solely on the basis of Morocco's Autonomy Plan, respecting the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Moroccan envoy continued that this serious and credible initiative enjoys strong and open support from 116 countries. This includes two permanent Security Council members, with the United Kingdom joining just yesterday, as well as three non-permanent members who sat on the Council in 2024, and six among the current non-permanent members. Hilale condemned how this approach 'discredits the Security Council's work vis-à-vis the General Assembly' by departing from the established practice of factuality and neutrality that traditionally characterizes Security Council reports to the General Assembly. He warned it also 'raises questions about the General Assembly's confidence in the integrity of reports transmitted to it by the Security Council.' 'Instead of attempting to mislead the General Assembly by referring to his national position and that of a non-permanent Council member who is also a main party to this dispute, the writer of this section should have demonstrated neutrality and objectivity,' the diplomat thundered. He further insisted that the writer should have informed the General Assembly about the constants and foundations of the political process established by the Security Council. The Moroccan representative lambasted the writer for opposing the restoration of factuality in this section by invoking a supposed 'procedural integrity,' which 'cannot take precedence when such a flagrant inaccuracy is reported at any stage.' Hilale went on to say that the report's objectivity and factuality are 'a political prerequisite to the Security Council's mission as guarantor of the political process' for resolving the Sahara question. For all these reasons, Morocco firmly denounces this failure to maintain the rigor, impartiality, and integrity of this section of the report. The country also rejects the politically motivated distortion of this paragraph, which 'can only be perceived as a vain attempt to undermine the international momentum in favor of the political process undertaken under the exclusive auspices of the United Nations.' The letter has also been transmitted to the General Assembly president and the secretary-general, and will be published as an official document of both the Security Council and the General Assembly. Read also: Hilale: 'Sahara Occupation Ended with Provinces' Return to Morocco' Tags: Ambassador Omar HilaleUN Security CouncilWestern sahara
Morocco World
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Hilale Lectures Algeria's Regime on Regional Destabilization, Hypocrisy, and Support of Separatism
Rabat — Omar Hilale, Morocco's Permanent Ambassador to the UN, has reiterated the Algerian regime's direct involvement in challenging Morocco's territorial integrity in a final statement as part of the UN Special Committee on Decolonization (C24). Hilale's statement came in response to Algeria's regime claims, arguing that Algeria is not a party to the Western Sahara dispute. In his response, the Moroccan ambassador recalled his recent statements on Algeria's responsibility in the dispute, noting that what he previously said are 'real and documented facts openly assumed by Algeria.' Earlier this week, Hilale stressed how Algeria has been using the separatist Polisario group as a political tool to challenge Morocco's territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara. 'Despite Morocco's commitments and the UN's sustained efforts, the political process to resolve this regional dispute continues to be hindered by Algeria's delaying tactics,' Hilale said, recalling Algeria's repeated attempts to obfuscate its role in the Western Sahara dispute. In response to Hilale's remarks, the Algerian delegation accused Morocco of targeting Algiers during the event and has once again shirked the country's responsibility in the dispute, despite financing, arming, training, and harboring the Polisario Front and backing its independence claims in Western Sahara. Algeria's continued delusions Responding to Algeria's claims, Hilale dismissed the Algerian regime's claims, saying: 'Who created the Polisario? It was Algeria. Where is it located? On Algerian territory. Who finds it? Algeria. Who leads diplomatic campaigns against Morocco? Again, it's Algeria.' Hilale also shut down Algeria's regime observer allegations, noting that the country suffers from an 'incurable schizopehrinic pathology.' 'It claims not to be a party, yet has been blocking the resumption of the political process for the past three years, thus obstructing a political resolution of this regional dispute,' he added. Algeria has been blocking the UN-led political process, frequently renewing its reluctance to engage in UN-sponsored roundtable talks. The Algerian regime prefers to refer to itself as merely an observer, despite its direct involvement in the dispute, declining to engage in UN talks to contribute to finding a realistic and pragmatic solution. Hilale recalled how Algeria's narrative is 'stuck in the year 2000 and completely ignores the major developments of the past 25 years.' 'Why does Algeria never refer to Security Council resolutions since 2000? Because they contradict Algeria's foundational position, having buried the referendum, recognizing the pre-eminence of Morocco's autonomy initiative, explicating assigning responsibility to Algeria, and acknowledging the international momentum behind the Moroccan initiative,' Hilale added. Recently, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita said that over 116 countries now support the Moroccan initiative, in addition to the major recognitions of Morocco's territorial integrity by powerhouses like the US and France. 'Mecca' of destabilization Echoing Bourita's remarks, Hilale debunked the Algerian regime's narrative, noting that if Algeria 'wants to lend credibility to its discourse, it should first grant this right to the people living on its own territory – the Kabyle people – who demand for self-determinations dates back to well before the very creation of the Algerian regime.' He also described Algeria as the 'Mecca' of destabilization, terrorist groups, separatism, and 'all those who take up arms against their own countries.' Hilale's remarks came amid growing appeals from politicians who urge their countries — including the US, UK, and France — to designate the separatist group as a terrorist organization. Tags: Algeria and the Western SaharaAlgeria and Western Sahara
Maroc
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Maroc
C24: The Sahara is Moroccan by History, Law and the Free Expression of its Populations
Morocco's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Omar Hilale, affirmed during the regional seminar of the UN Committee of 24 (C24) for the Pacific that the Sahara is Moroccan by history, law, and the free expression of its populations. "The Sahara is Moroccan by history, law, and the free expression of its populations. It is now time for other parties to recognize this and build together a future of peace, stability, and cooperation for our region and our continent," Hilale emphasized during this seminar, held from May 21 to 23 in Dili, Timor-Leste. The ambassador also denounced Algeria's delaying tactics that are hindering the resolution of the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, as well as its strategy of destabilization in the Maghreb region and beyond. "Despite Morocco's commitments and the United Nations' constant efforts, the political process to settle this regional dispute continues to be hampered by Algeria's delaying tactics, which, while claiming not to be a party to the conflict, nevertheless plays a central role," he said, noting that Algeria hosts, arms, finances, and diplomatically supports the separatist group "polisario," and persists in an unrealistic and destabilizing stance in the region. He pointed out that in the face of this impasse maintained by Algeria, the international community seems to have made a decision, citing in this regard the ongoing withdrawal of recognition of the puppet entity, while more than 116 States around the world have expressed explicit support for the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative. Similarly, around thirty countries have opened consulates general in Laayoune and Dakhla, thus recognizing Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces, he added. Referring to the Committee's continued examination of the Moroccan Sahara issue, ambassador Hilale noted that this situation wrongly condemns the issue to a rigid interpretation through a prism disconnected from the profound evolution that this issue has undergone and continues to undergo. "As you know, upon its accession to the United Nations, the Kingdom of Morocco initiated efforts with the 4th Committee and the C24 for the liberation of its Sahara from colonial rule. After nearly two decades of tough negotiations, Morocco was able to recover its Saharan provinces by virtue of the Madrid Agreement of November 1975, which the United Nations General Assembly acknowledged in its Resolution 3458B of December 1975," the ambassador emphasized. He added that since then, and following Algeria's creation of the armed separatist group "polisario," the question of the Moroccan Sahara has become a matter of peace and security, justifying its treatment by the Security Council under Chapter VI of the United Nations Charter for the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes. He further noted that the Security Council has definitively ruled out the option of a "self-determination referendum," which had been raised by some, emphasizing that the UN Secretary-General concluded in his report of February 17, 2000 (S/2000/131) that "an orderly and consensual implementation of the Settlement Plan" was impossible. Since then, the Security Council has resolutely turned towards finding a mutually acceptable political solution, in line with the reality on the ground and the imperatives of regional stability, he said, recalling that all Security Council resolutions underline the need to reach a political solution based on compromise. In Hilale's view, this paradigm shift reflects the United Nations' desire to move away from a rigid, binary approach and embrace an approach adapted to the evolving global perception of the situation and respectful of international law. "These developments have paved the way for the emergence of the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative as the sole basis for a lasting settlement in accordance with international law," the ambassador said, affirming that this Initiative, presented in 2007 and described by the Security Council as serious and credible, indeed constitutes an innovative and bold proposal for resolving this dispute. It provides for the granting of broad autonomy to the populations of the Sahara within the framework of the sovereignty and the territorial unity of the Kingdom of Morocco, he continued. Morocco's Permanent Representative to the UN also underlined that the Kingdom remains committed to a lasting political solution and extends its hand to all those who sincerely wish to turn the page on this regional dispute and pave the way for cooperation that is beneficial to all. He noted, however, that "this commitment cannot be one-sided or eternal. It presupposes a genuine desire for dialogue on the part of the other parties, particularly Algeria, whose role can no longer be ignored. The key to progress in the political process lies in Algiers, as the former Personal Envoy, the late Peter Van Walssum, noted in 2008." The Ambassador affirmed that the time has come to reassess with clarity and courage the way this issue is being addressed within this Committee. Mr. Hilale, along with Moroccan Ambassador to Jakarta Redouane Houssaini, is leading an important delegation to the C24 regional seminar. The delegation is composed of several officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Abroad, in addition to the Vice President of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs (CORCAS). Two elected officials from the Moroccan Sahara, Ms. Ghalla Bahiya from the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab Region and Mr. M'hamed Abba from the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra Region, are participating in this seminar at the invitation of the Committee's President, as has been the case for several years. MAP:22 mai 2025
Morocco World
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Omar Hilale Denounces Algeria's Hampering of UN-Led Political Process on Western Sahara
Rabat – Omar Hilale, Morocco's permanent ambassador to the UN, has again highlighted how Algeria's regime has been using the separatist Polisario group as a political tool to challenge Morocco's territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara. The Moroccan ambassador made his remarks during a regional seminar for the Pacific at the UN Special Committee on Decolonization (C24) on Wednesday, denouncing Algeria's tactics of obstruction to the resolution of the regional dispute and its destabilizing strategy in the Maghreb and beyond. 'Despite Morocco's commitments and the UN's sustained efforts, the political process to resolve this regional dispute continues to be hindered by Algeria's delaying tactics,' Hilale said, recalling Algeria's repeated attempts to obfuscate its role in the Western Sahara dispute. Hilale said Algiers plays a central role in the conflict, recalling that the Algerian regime hosts, arms, funds, and diplomatically supports the separatist group Polisario. Shedding light on the ongoing momentum Morocco secured for its national cause, Hilale stressed how the international community made its stance clear, highlighting the ongoing withdrawal of recognition of the self-styled SADR. According to Hilale, over 116 countries globally expressed explicit support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan, while 30 nations opened consulates in Laayoune and Dakhla, reflecting their recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces. Stressing that Polisario was the creation of Algeria, Hilale recalled how their referendum on self-determination has become a ruled out and an outdated option as confirmed by the UN Security Council and its resolutions. He stressed that the UN Secretary General concluded in his report of February 17, 2000, that an 'orderly and consensual implementation of the Settlement Plan' was not feasible. Since then, Hilale continued, the UN Security Council has focused on a mutually acceptable political solution based on compromise. 'These developments paved the way for the emergence of the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative as the only foundation for a lasting and lawful solution,' he said, noting that the Sahara is Moroccan by history, by law, and by the free expression of its people.' Hilale also called on other parties to acknowledge this and to engage in discussions and work to build a future of peace, stability, and cooperation for the region and the whole continent. Despite UN Security Council resolutions, Algeria continues to block the UN-led political process, shirking its responsibility as one of the four main parties to the dispute. The country continues to deny its significant and direct role in the dispute, claiming that it is Morocco and Polisario that should engage in talks to find a political solution to end the dispute. This Algerian policy is further exacerbated by an international campaign and lobbying efforts, with Algerian officials and activists seizing every opportunity to voice their anti-Morocco rhetoric and challenge Morocco's territorial integrity. Resolution 2703 of October 2024 stressed Algeria's role in the Sahara dispute, detailing how the Algerian regime is one of the main parties in the dispute. Notably, the resolution challenged Algeria's longtime attempt to deny its full-fledged involvement by claiming to be merely an observer and 'a concerned neighbor.' The resolution called 'upon Morocco, the Frente POLISARIO, Algeria, and Mauritania to cooperate more fully with each other, including through building additional trust, and with the United Nations, as well as to strengthen their involvement in the political process and to achieve progress towards a political solution.' Tags: Algeria and Western SaharaAmbassador Omar Hilale
Morocco World
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Moroccan Delegation Engages with UN Decolonization Committee on Western Sahara
Rabat – A high-level Moroccan delegation is participating in the regional seminar of the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24), taking place between May 21 and 23 in Dili, Timor-Leste. The event is an opportunity for the delegation to share recent developments on the Western Sahara issue with the committee and other participants. The delegation is set to recall the growing international support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan for the Sahara, which is now backed by more than 117 countries, over 60% of them being UN member states. Morocco will also note the increasing international recognition of its sovereignty over the Sahara. This includes the strong support of key countries such as the United States and France, both permanent members of the UN Security Council which are involved in drafting its resolutions on the Sahara. The delegation is led by Omar Hilale, Morocco's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, and Ridouane Houssaini, Morocco's Ambassador to Indonesia. It also includes senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Vice-President of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs (CORCAS). The Moroccan delegation is also set to present major progress achieved in the Moroccan southern provinces under the new development model King Mohammed VI launched in 2015. This program, with a budget exceeding $10 billion, has reached advanced levels of implementation. The seminar will also allow the Moroccan delegation to reaffirm Algeria's key role in the continuation of the Sahara dispute. The delegation will explain Algeria's historical and political responsibility, as recognized by several UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2756 adopted in October 2024. Two elected representatives from the Moroccan southern provinces in Western Sahara are also participating in the event, including Ghella Bahiya from the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region and M'hamed Abba from the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region. They were invited by the Chair of the Committee. MoroccO's Sahara position has been enjoying international momentum, with a growing number of countries backing the Moroccan autonomy plan as the most suitable solution to the dispute, as well as recognizing the country's sovereignty over its southern provinces. Tags: MoroccoUNWestern sahara
