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A recent visit by a delegation of UN ambassadors to the Western Sahara region has reignited tension between the Moroccan government and the Polisario Front. While the visit aimed to observe developments and advancements in the territory, it sparked strong condemnation from the separatist group, who accused Morocco of taking advantage of its position as head of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
Abi Bachraya al-Bashir, representative of the Polisario Front, expressed strong objections to the visit, arguing that Morocco leveraged its current presidency of the UNHRC «to advance its own narrow agenda» in Western Sahara.
The separatist representative claimed that said diplomatic visit is a «large-scale media propaganda operation aimed at misleading the international community and legitimizing Moroccan control over the disputed territory».
He added that this exploitation «constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter» and that it «contradicts the mandate of the President and the spirit of the Council set by the United Nations General Assembly resolution establishing the Council».
The delegation, comprising ambassadors from 15 countries including Senegal, Gabon, and the UAE, visited various sites within the Western Sahara region. They held meetings with local authorities, elected officials, and members of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra Regional Human Rights Committee.
Polisario and allies respond with counter-meeting
Unhappy with the diplomatic visit, the Polisario Front joined forces with its allies, Algeria and South Africa, to hold a counter-meeting within the «Geneva Group». This group, formed to support the separatist movement's cause, discussed strategies for the upcoming UN Human Rights Council session scheduled for February 26th.
It's worth noting that their previous attempt to block Morocco's presidency of the Council proved unsuccessful, with Morocco securing 30 votes compared to South Africa's 17. Since January 10th, Morocco has held the rotating presidency of the UN Human Rights Council, generating both support and opposition.
While some nations, including South Africa and Algeria, expressed concerns about Morocco's leadership given its involvement in the Western Sahara dispute, 30 member states endorsed its candidacy.
