Morocco Rejects Partition: Hilale Underscores Algeria’s Desperate Attempts to Derail Western Sahara Solution
Morocco’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Omar Hilale, recently shed light on Algeria’s persistent efforts to undermine a morocco-algeria-western-sahara-talks/” title=”De Mistura's Western Sahara Consultations Tighten the Noose on Algeria”>political solution for the Western Sahara, emphasizing Morocco’s longstanding rejection of any partition plan. Speaking at a press conference following a UN Security Council vote on the Western Sahara, Hilale characterized Algeria’s push for partition as a desperate attempt to distract the international community from the core issues of the conflict. He argued that neither former UN envoy James Baker nor current envoy Staffan de Mistura originated the idea of partition, but rather conveyed proposals received from Algerian officials.
Hilale traced the partition concept back to former Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who reportedly first suggested it in 2001. Morocco, Hilale affirmed, immediately and categorically rejected the proposal. He revealed that Baker had received the partition idea via a letter from Algeria’s then-UN ambassador. This underscores Morocco’s consistent position that the territorial integrity of the Western Sahara is non-negotiable. The ambassador reiterated Morocco’s commitment to the autonomy plan as the sole basis for a resolution, urging the international community to pressure Algeria to cease its support for the Polisario Front and engage constructively in finding a peaceful and just solution to the decades-long dispute.
The Western Sahara conflict, which dates back to the 1970s, centers around the disputed territory’s status. Morocco claims sovereignty over the region, while the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, seeks independence. The UN has been involved in mediating the conflict for decades, with various envoys attempting to facilitate
