Rabat- Morocco’s permanent ambassador to the UN Omar Hilale renewed on Saturday concerns about Algeria’s hostile approach aimed at undermining Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Hilale made his remarks before the members of the 4th Committee of the UN General Assembly on October 14, recalling the “massive” international support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a credible and serious basis to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
“More than 90 UN member states have expressed strong support for this initiative as the only solution to this regional dispute,” Hilale stressed, emphasizing that the international support is “in line with the position of the Security Council which, in its 18 resolutions since 2007, has enshrined the Moroccan autonomy initiative as a serious and credible solution to this artificial conflict.”
The Moroccan ambassador also recalled the opening of 27 consulates general in the southern provinces of Dakhla and Laayoune, emphasizing that the inauguration of international representations reflects the countries’ support for and recognition of Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over Western Sahara.
In his speech on the anniversary of the Revolution of King and People in August, King Mohammed VI expressed satisfaction with the opening of international representations in the region and thanked countries for their support for Morocco’s territorial integrity.
The total openings include nearly 40% of African countries.
“I should like to say how much I value the position adopted by our brothers in Africa; approximately 40% of African countries from five regional groups have opened consulates in Laayoune and Dakhla,” the King said in his speech.
Recalling Algeria’s frustration with the openings, Hilale emphasized that three other countries announced their determination to open their consulates in Dakhla, including Chad, Somalia, and Guatemala — a decision that “will certainly displease Algeria.”
Algeria hosts, finances, and arms the Polisario Front, a separatist group claiming independence in Western Sahara. Despite its support, the Algerian regime refuses to shoulder its responsibility in the dispute and claims that a solution should be between Morocco and Polisario.
However, the recent UN Secretary-General report on Western Sahara shattered Algeria’s claims, emphasizing the importance of the involvement of all four parties in the dispute – including Algeria, Polisario, Mauritania, and Morocco.
In the report, UN chief Antonio Guterres acknowledged the tense situation surrounding the dispute but expressed hope that a solution is still possible.
However, a solution will only be possible “provided that all concerned [parties] engage in a good faith and there is continued support from the international community,” he warned.
