Managua, May 29, 2026 – The Europe Today: Morocco’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Omar Hilale, has stated that the Western Sahara issue should no longer remain under the agenda of the UN Committee of 24 (C24), arguing that it falls exclusively within the mandate of the UN Security Council.
Speaking at the regional conference of the UN C24 held in Managua, Nicaragua from May 25 to 27, Hilale said maintaining the issue within the Special Committee on Decolonization contradicts Article 12 of the UN Charter, which prioritizes Security Council consideration in matters related to international peace and security.
He emphasized that recent developments, including UN Security Council Resolution 2797, have reinforced Morocco’s autonomy proposal under its sovereignty as “the only serious and credible basis” for achieving a lasting political settlement. He further noted that the resolution reaffirmed the involvement of the four main parties in the process: Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, and the Polisario Front.
Hilale stated that the era of “political maneuvering and outdated ideological positions” must end, urging all stakeholders, particularly Algeria and the Polisario Front, to engage constructively in the UN-led political process.
He added that Morocco has already taken practical steps following Resolution 2797 by presenting detailed aspects of its autonomy initiative in discussions held in Washington and Madrid, describing it as a realistic framework for resolving the long-standing dispute.
The ambassador also stressed that the Western Sahara question should be viewed as a regional dispute linked to peace and security rather than a decolonization matter.
Highlighting growing international support, Hilale noted that approximately 130 UN member states now back Morocco’s autonomy initiative as a viable solution since its introduction in 2007. He warned that continued delays in the political process could undermine current momentum and prolong instability in the region.
He further referred to development initiatives in Morocco’s southern provinces under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, including major investments in infrastructure, renewable energy, education, healthcare, and the blue economy.
Concluding his remarks, Hilale reiterated the call of King Mohammed VI for a negotiated solution “with no winner and no loser,” aimed at preserving dignity for all parties and preventing further escalation of tensions.
