Statement
Statement summary
OMAR HILAL (Morocco), recalling the recent earthquake to strike his country, detailed his nation’s efforts aimed at addressing its consequences. To finance the reconstruction as well as social and economic development of affected areas over the next five years, $12 billion was allocated. Morocco also has a new development model that is in line with the 2030 Agenda. To promote women’s and family rights, the Personal Status Code is currently being reviewed, he informed. Further, he drew attention to the General Assembly resolution — tabled by Morocco and adopted by consensus — on deploring violence against sacred books. Turning to the “Moroccan Sahara”, his country remains committed to a political solution to this “fabricated regional conflict”. There is no alternative to autonomy within Morocco’s territory, he declared. On regional issues, he expressed support for international efforts to reach a permanent political settlement in Libya and for an independent Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital.
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Right of reply
The representative of Morocco stated that Algeria’s delegate should have stayed silent rather than expressing condolences. “We cannot shed crocodile tears and at the same time attack a country that is still going through a tragedy,” he underscored. For 50 years, Algeria has kept saying that is not a party to the conflict in the “Moroccan Sahara”, he observed, wondering why Algeria took the floor if this is the case. He pointed out that the Security Council has not spoken about a referendum for nearly 23 years, stating that there will never be a partition of Western Sahara. Asking why Algeria refuses to participate in the round tables referred to in Council resolutions, he accused the neighbouring country of undermining Moroccan unity by arming “a separatist movement which has connections with international terrorism”. In this manner, Algeria went against good-neighbourly relations and peaceful resolution of disputes, he argued.
The representative of Morocco recalled that Algeria rejects the resolutions of the Security Council. What will Algeria do when its own resolutions are rejected, he asked. There is no place on the Security Council for countries that reject or are in violation of and do not uphold the 15-member organ’s resolutions. Morocco is looking forward to seeing the “attitude” of the Algerian delegation when it takes its place as a non-permanent member on the Council. Algeria is quite fortunate due to the principle of rotation. Because, if there were not a principle of rotation, Algeria would never have a seat on the Council. “They haven’t even sent a single soldier to peacekeeping forces,” he said.