Morocco’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Omar Hilale, asserted on Monday that only the UN Secretary-General and Security Council hold the authority to reassess the UN’s role in the ongoing Moroccan Sahara dispute.
Speaking at a press briefing after the Security Council adopted a new resolution on the matter, Hilale dismissed the call for reevaluation made by Staffan de Mistura, the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the Sahara.
De Mistura, in a recent Security Council briefing, had recommended rethinking the UN’s involvement if no meaningful progress emerges within six months.
Hilale argued that the envoy had overstepped his role by suggesting that the UN reexamine its mission. “His mandate concerns only facilitating a solution between the parties involved, not deciding whether the UN should reconsider its approach,” Hilale said.
He explained that de Mistura must “stick to the letter of his appointment” and work according to Security Council resolutions that define his role.
Morocco’s representative to the UN called on the envoy to fully commit to his mandate, which centers on mediation, rather than suggesting a shift in the UN’s mission.
Calling for a renewed focus on diplomatic progress, Hilale also urged de Mistura to demonstrate leadership by organizing productive roundtable negotiations—something he says de Mistura’s predecessors, Christopher Ross and Horst Köhler, consistently managed to do. “We need him to fulfill his responsibilities and show the necessary authority,” Hilale declared.
“When previous envoys, such as Ross and Köhler, convened discussions, they didn’t wait for Algeria’s approval on dates or venues. We expect de Mistura to follow suit,” he added.
Hilale’s remarks pointedly referenced Algeria’s opposition, which has hampered recent efforts to move talks forward. The ambassador called on de Mistura to stick to his mandate and not yield to Algeria’s obstruction. Instead to “use his authority effectively.”
Looking ahead to April, the ambassador suggested that the UN should measure the success of its efforts by whether negotiations continue in Geneva. Given that Switzerland has already offered to host a third round of discussions, Hilale said, “We have the venue. What’s lacking now is the envoy’s authority and commitment to executing his mandate.”