At UNGA, Morocco Holds Algeria Responsible for Perpetuating Sahara Conflict

Morocco has once again underscored the regional character of the Sahara dispute holding Algeria responsible for blocking progress towards a political solution that would put an end to the ordeal of thousands of people held against their will by the separatist Polisario militia with Algiers consent.

Speaking at the 73rd UN General Assembly, head of the Moroccan government Saad Eddine El Othmani said Algeria is responsible from a political, legal and humanitarian perspective of the dramatic conditions inflicted on the Population held against their will in Tindouf camps by the Polisario separatists.

He also called on the international community to put pressure on Algeria to allow a census by the UN Refugee agency of the camps’ population in line with the recommendations of the Security Council.

“Morocco reiterates its full support for the terms of reference adopted by the Security Council in addressing this artificial regional dispute,” he said adding that the Security Council “is the sole institution overseeing the settlement of this issue.”

In his speech, El Othmani also highlighted Morocco’s solidarity-based African policy citing the Kingdom’s continental leadership on migration, environment protection and south-south cooperation.

He also stressed Morocco’s commitment to multilateralism as an approach in addressing global challenges.