New york: Speaking before the 4th Committee of the UN General Assembly, Omar Hilale emphasized that the Moroccan Sahara today embodies a land of unity, peace, and progress. Since 1975, regardless of the political process’s evolution, Morocco has pursued the legitimate right to development for the populations of its Saharan Provinces.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, Hilale marked Morocco’s 50th anniversary of the Green March on November 6. This historic event enabled the return of the Moroccan Sahara to the Motherland, following negotiations with the occupying power, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law. Hilale remarked that this moment not only closed a colonial chapter but also opened a future of peace, stability, and development.
During his address to the 4th Committee of the UNGA, the Moroccan ambassador criticized outdated statements from certain member states, whose positions he claimed are not in line with the Security Council’s efforts to reach a realistic political solution based on compromise to end the long-standing dispute.
Hilale asserted that the Sahara has been part of Morocco since ancient times, stating that it has played a significant role in the Kingdom’s history and continues to embrace its future. He noted that the region now stands as a land of unity, peace, and progress.
The ambassador reminded those who challenge this fact that, since 1975, Morocco has invested in developing its Saharan Provinces. He highlighted that the GDP per capita in the Southern Provinces is among the highest in the Kingdom, with strategic infrastructure projects such as the Dakhla Atlantic Port, the Tiznit-Dakhla expressway, solar and wind power plants, universities, hospitals, technology parks, and schools of excellence.
In response to those advocating for the right to self-determination, Hilale emphasized Morocco’s Autonomy Initiative. He described it as a legitimate means of exercising self-determination within state sovereignty, allowing local populations to manage their affairs democratically. The initiative includes an elected parliament, a representative executive, and an independent judiciary, aligning with international law and human rights standards.
Hilale highlighted the growing international support for the Moroccan Autonomy Proposal, noting that many countries recognize its justice, legitimacy, and relevance. This support, he argued, is not due to pressure but because it aligns with the imperatives of peace, realism, and compromise as endorsed by Security Council resolutions.
The Autonomy Initiative, Hilale stated, is part of the UN political process and open to negotiation. He called on all parties, including Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the “polisario,” to engage sincerely in negotiations to seek peace.
Hilale addressed claims of instability in the Moroccan Sahara by emphasizing its status as a haven of peace and a hub for African integration and development. He pointed to major initiatives such as the Royal Atlantic Initiative, the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, and the Sahel Initiative as examples of Morocco’s commitment to regional peace and prosperity.
He appealed to those exploiting the suffering in the Tindouf camps to end the exile and allow families to reunite and participate in developing the Moroccan Sahara. He stressed that the humanitarian tragedy in Tindouf should not be used as a tool for inaction.
Lastly, Hilale reiterated Morocco’s commitment to the UN and expressed a desire for a lasting solution to the conflict based on compromise. He concluded by calling for a consensual solution that leaves no party as a loser, consistent with the Sovereign’s recent Throne Speech.