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Rabat – In an address at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Omar Hilale, Morocco’s permanent representative to the UN, denounced Algeria’s historical distortions related to the Western Sahara issue, pointing out what he considered to be a one-sided biased perspective.
Hilale made the remarks in response to the Algerian representative Amar Bendjama who had earlier reiterated Algeria’s support of a self-determination referendum in the Sahara and their defense of the separatist Polisario Front.
Hilale firmly emphasized that his words were not out of pity but stemmed from a desire to present an accurate account. He highlighted a longstanding tradition of Morocco refraining from using its right to respond following Algerian speeches, but stressed that this occasion warranted a response.
Hilale criticized Algeria for displaying fake sympathy while attacking Morocco during a time of tragedy, referring to the deadly earthquake that hit the country on September 8.
“You show solidarity and support, but at the same time you inject your venom, you insult the dead, you insult Moroccans. It’s been 50 years since you’ve been bringing these things down,” Hilale said.
He accused Algeria of historical distortion and questioned their commitment to the principle of self-determination, particularly referencing the Kabyle people’s struggle for self-determination within Algeria.
“If the principle of self-determination is so dear to your mind, so linked to your history, to your DNA, why don’t you apply it in your country,” Hilale questioned.
Read also: Omar Hilale: Autonomy Plan Is ‘Only Solution’ to Sahara Dispute
In addition, Hilale directly confronted Algeria, pointing out their purported contradictory behavior concerning the Sahrawi people.
He criticized Algeria’s closure of camps and obstruction of the registration process by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), insinuating that these actions contradict their claim of not being directly involved in the matter.
In addition, Hilale highlighted Algeria’s objections to resolutions and failure to participate in roundtable discussions, asserting that these actions demonstrate their active role and engagement in the Western Sahara issue.
“If the Sahara problem continues 50 years later, it is because of you … and you continue to pretend that you are not responsible and have nothing to do,” he stressed.
Hilale also accused Algeria of being dishonest with the international community regarding resolutions of the General Assembly.
He accused the country of forcibly relocating individuals to Tindouf camps and manipulating their perception of independence to fabricate a misleading narrative, “that only depends on your [Algeria’s] intelligence services.”
Hilale contended that while Algeria publicly expressed condolences and solidarity with Morocco in times of tragedy, it concurrently aimed to undermine Morocco’s unity.
He asserted that Algeria had supported a separatist movement linked to international terrorism, describing the country as one primarily driven by a military force aligned with separatist agendas for over five decades.
Closing his statement, Hilale highlighted Morocco’s progress and development in the Sahara, stressing the country’s commitment to the active participation of Sahrawis in the region’s governance and resource management.
He emphasized Morocco’s stability and prosperity, asserting that the Sahara, which he described as a “paradise,” was flourishing under Moroccan governance.
