Rabat – Moroccan ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Omar Hilale, has reiterated Morocco’s appreciation for US President Donald Trump’s efforts in the Western Sahara dossier.
Hilale emphasized Trump’s steadfast support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara, stating that the US President viewed the long-running conflict as a solvable challenge rather than an obstacle.
The Moroccan ambassador made his remarks in an interview with the US television channel, Newsmax.
The interview came a week after the UN Security Council’s historic vote on Resolution 2797, recognizing Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a genuine political solution to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
“I think history will remember that it was President Trump who was the first head of state of a great nation to recognize the sovereignty of Morocco over its Sahara. He’s the first one as a leader to believe that there is peace,” Hilale said.
He added that “others believe that there are obstacles, conflict, and confrontations. He’s the first leader in the world to believe that there is a way to hope and unity, reconciliation in our region.”
For Hilale, other members of the Security Council have previously adopted “consensual resolutions that are keeping the status quo.”
However, the status quo now, is “over thanks to President Trump, who wants peace. He wants to reconcile neighboring country, Morocco. The main part is Morocco and Algeria. And he wants to give an opportunity to the people,” he said.
For decades, Algeria’s regime has played a central role in the dispute by hosting, funding, and arming the Polisario Front, a separatist group that operates from remote areas in Tindouf under Algiers’ protection and support.
Despite Algeria’s direct involvement in the conflict, its regime has consistently refused to shoulder responsibility, repeatedly claiming that a solution should be between Morocco and the separatist group.
Algiers’ stance ignores Polisario’s illegitimacy to represent Saharawis.
Morocco has long emphasized that a solution must involve Algeria’s regime directly.
The US is now seeking to mediate between Algiers and Rabat, two countries that share decades of complex tensions.
Tensions between the two countries worsened in 2021, when Algeria officially severed diplomatic ties with Morocco.
Adding to the rift, Algeria closed its airspace with Morocco in 2021, in addition to refusing to reopen borders with Rabat since 1994.
Hilale also recalled the celebrations that erupted across Morocco, including southern provinces, following the vote, describing Resolution 2797 as a historical resolution that recognizes Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces.
“It’s the culmination of the throne, king, people, and the sacred cause of the Sahara issue.
It’s also the culmination of 50 years of diplomatic effort, of patience, of work, and also of economic effort in the field and internationally,” Hilale said.
The Moroccan ambassador emphasized how the moment reflects a national celebration, lauding King Mohammed VI’s vision.
Earlier this month, King Mohammed VI decreed October 31, marking the vote on Resolution 2797, as a new national holiday to be known as Unity Day.
A statement from the Royal Cabinet said that this new national holiday will serve as “a unifying occasion for expressing attachment to the kingdom’s national sacrosanct values and its legitimate rights.”
In his interview, Hilale expressed hope that the first anniversary of the vote could be marked as a celebration of reconciliation.
“We hope that next year we will celebrate reconciliation with our neighbors because we need to rebuild the economic integration in our region. You know that the Maghreb is the lowest region in the world because of this conflict, because of this problem between Morocco and Algeria,” Hilale said.
He also recalled King Mohammed VI’s consistent olive branches extended to Algeria, calling Algeria to engage in a fraternal, direct, and frank dialogue to end the political stalemate between the two countries.
