Moroccan Hypocrisy Unveiled: Stirring Controversy After UN Envoy’s Visits to Pretoria, Moscow
BY: Dr. Hana Saada
ALGIERS- Following the visit of the United Nations Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, to South Africa and Moscow, Moroccan officials refrained from attacking Russian authorities over their reception of the envoy, unlike the uproar that ensued after his visit to South Africa. The disparity in reactions has raised eyebrows and led to accusations of political hypocrisy.
On January 31, 2024, the Swedish-Italian diplomat visited South Africa and was received in Pretoria by senior officials of the country. This visit sparked a significant backlash from the Moroccan regime, evident through statements from several top-level Moroccan officials, indicating that Rabat could not digest De Mistura’s actions.
Upon learning of De Mistura’s visit to South Africa, the Moroccan regime attempted to dissuade the UN envoy from doing so, with its official news agency conducting interviews with Omar Hilale, Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, expressing his country’s displeasure. However, these efforts proved futile.
After Omar Hilale’s dialogue with the news agency failed to achieve its goal, the Moroccan regime escalated its stance by deploying Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita personally to the forefront. Bourita aimed to exert influence on the United Nations Secretariat and, by extension, the Personal Envoy, by criticizing Pretoria, stating, “South Africa, which has taken a negative stance on the Western Sahara issue for 20 years, lacks the competence and ability to influence the course of this file.” However, this attempt also fell short of its intended impact.
Last weekend, the official website of the United Nations announced that “the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, visited Moscow at the invitation of the Russian authorities.” The same source clarified that De Mistura “met with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin regarding the Western Sahara issue.”
The focal point of the UN official’s visit to Moscow was direct discussions with Russian officials on the Western Sahara issue and ways to resolve the decades-long crisis. This visit bore the same objective that prompted the UN envoy’s visit to South Africa, which shook the Moroccan monarchy.
To date, the Moroccan regime has not issued any statement regarding the reception that the UN official received in Moscow from Russian officials, despite three full days having passed. This silence contrasts with Rabat’s preemptive dialogues and warning statements before and after De Mistura’s visit to South Africa, cautioning against the potential failure of De Mistura’s mission in Western Sahara.
The Moroccan regime’s silent stance, according to some analysts and activists on social media, regarding De Mistura’s visit to Moscow and its “arrogant” approach to his visit to South Africa, reveals a dichotomy and duplicity in the kingdom’s foreign policy, placing it in significant embarrassment before the local and international public opinion.
Amidst the embarrassment felt by the Moroccan regime after its silence regarding De Mistura’s visit to Moscow, some Moroccan mouthpieces, both within and outside the kingdom, have attempted to cleanse the palaces’ doors from the remnants of their clumsy diplomacy. They speak of “fundamental differences” between the two visits, claiming that Russia, as a permanent member of the Security Council, remains neutral in its dealings with the Western Sahara issue, while South Africa supports the Sahrawi cause. However, proponents of these justifications overlook a crucial factor: Russia’s positions have never been neutral on the Western Sahara issue, often abstaining from voting when renewing the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) at the Security Council, unlike the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and China, who have consistently voted “yes,” demonstrating support for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.
About Dzair Tube Media Group
Dzair Tube has firmly established itself as a prominent player among Algerian digital news sites, offering a diverse and enriching content experience. The platform, available in Arabic, French, and English editions, captures the attention of a wide-ranging audience, amassing over half a million daily clicks.
A testament to its commitment to excellence, Dzair Tube received the prestigious President of the Republic’s Award for Professional Journalist in the Electronic Press category on October 22, 2022. This recognition underscores the platform’s unwavering dedication to upholding the highest standards of journalism.
With a significant online presence, Dzair Tube boasts 350,000 subscribers on YouTube, over five million followers on various Facebook pages, and 450,000 subscribers on Instagram. Its digital channel has become a hub for diverse programming, covering news, sports, entertainment, culture, and religion, catering to a broad spectrum of audience preferences.
Equipped with state-of-the-art studios and advanced technology, Dzair Tube’s digital channel has garnered substantial viewership for its varied programs. Hosting interactive discussions with influential figures across different domains, the platform actively fosters public discourse and engagement. Beyond news coverage, Dzair Tube extends its commitment to the production of marketing documentaries, short TV commercials, and high-viewership programs.
The success of the print edition of Dzair Tube’s sports newspaper, “Dzair Sport,” further highlights the platform’s impact, with over 50,000 daily downloads from the official Dzair Tube website.
Recently honored with the Media Leadership Award from the Minister of Communication, Mohamed Laâgab, Dzair Tube continues to shape the landscape of Algerian digital news, maintaining a position of influence and impact in the media industry.
