Hommam Al Nassim 
Moroccan Ambassador Omar Hilal accused Algeria of exploiting its term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, to strengthen its biased position on the Moroccan Sahara issue.
Hilal expressed his regret that Algeria exploited the briefing session held by the Security Council on the situation of refugees and displaced people in the world to promote its position instead of focusing on the humanitarian issues presented by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.
Hilal stressed that Algeria is considered a major party in the regional conflict over the Moroccan Sahara and accused it of detaining the residents of the Tindouf camps against their will and using them to serve its policy against the territorial integrity of Morocco.
Hilal rejected the Algerian ambassador’s allegations that the population is waiting for the international community to take action to allow them to voluntarily return to their lands, noting that Algeria confiscates their right to return to their motherland, Morocco, in violation of international humanitarian law and the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.
Hilal noted that Algeria refuses to register this population as required under international humanitarian law, preventing them from choosing between three sustainable solutions: voluntary return, local integration, or resettlement to a third country.
Hilal pointed out that the residents of the Tindouf camps are prohibited from leaving the camps surrounded by security fences and armed Polisario militias, stressing that Algeria is politicizing international humanitarian law by linking the return of residents to an alleged referendum.
Hilal stressed that the only solution to the conflict is the Moroccan initiative for autonomy within the framework of Morocco’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, noting that all Security Council resolutions since 2007 consider this initiative serious and credible and recommend a political, realistic and sustainable solution based on consensus.
Hilal explained that Algeria refuses to participate in the political meetings called by the United Nations, which hinders the resumption of the political process.
Hilal accused Algeria of violating the rights of residents in the Tindouf camps and depriving them of humanitarian aid that is being embezzled by Polisario leaders and Algerian Red Crescent officials, which was confirmed by the European Anti-Fraud Office and the World Food Program in their reports.
Hilal concluded by stressing that Morocco hopes that the Algerian ambassador will focus on urgent peace and security crises instead of promoting his country’s political agenda against Morocco.
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