UN Security Council meeting sees heated exchange between Morocco, Algeria

A UN Security Council meeting on integrating Mediterranean youth into peace and security efforts, hosted by Malta on Wednesday, became a platform for renewed tensions between Morocco and Algeria.

Speaking during the meeting, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf accused «a neighboring state», implying Morocco, of «flooding the Mediterranean basin with drugs». He also called for an «end to the occupation of territories» including Western Sahara.

Morocco's permanent representative, Ambassador Omar Hilale, countered these accusations. He emphasized threats to regional peace and security, including «failing to respect international law», terrorism, and interference in other countries' affairs. Notably, he mentioned «encouragement of separatism and the use of armed groups linked to terrorism» – a veiled reference to the Polisario Front supported by Algeria.

Hilale also highlighted Morocco's migration policies while criticizing practices of «neighboring countries» – presumably Algeria – for alleged human rights violations against migrants. He further pointed to concerns about the situation in the Tindouf refugee camps in Algeria.