UN: Ambassador Bendjama Denounces Morocco’s Biased Narrative on Western Sahara

BY: Hana Saada

New York, United Nations – In a remarkable address before the 4th Committee of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Amar Bendjama, Algeria’s permanent representative to the UN, eloquently dismantled Morocco’s biased narrative on the Western Sahara issue. The 4th Committee, tasked with special political issues and decolonization, bore witness to Mr. Bendjama’s compelling argumentation rooted in historical facts and legal evidence in support of the Sahrawi people’ struggle for self-determination and justice after enduring decades of colonial oppression.

Algeria’s Commitment to Freedom

Ambassador Bendjama commenced his address by underlining Algeria’s enduring commitment to the principles of freedom and emancipation. He evoked Algeria’s unwavering support for the fight against apartheid in South Africa and how this dedication stands as a cornerstone of Algerian diplomacy. He further harkened back to the historic moment when Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid icon, visited the UN headquarters following his release, emphasizing Algeria’s resolute stance in the global fight against oppression and colonialism.

Western Sahara: Last Colony in Africa

Turning his attention to the core of the matter, Ambassador Bendjama described Western Sahara as the last remaining colony in Africa, spotlighting the historical context of Moroccan colonization of this territory. He shed light on the formal commitments made by Morocco regarding the self-determination of the Sahrawi people. Regrettably, these commitments were followed by a series of renunciations and denials by Morocco.

Ambassador Bendjama substantiated his arguments with concrete examples, referencing King Hassan II’s speeches in 1981 and 1983, where he unequivocally accepted the holding of a self-determination referendum in Western Sahara. Nevertheless, these commitments were not honored, deepening the Sahrawi people’s plight.

Obstacles to Self-determination

The Algerian diplomat accentuated the impediments created by Morocco to obstruct the work of MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara). He touched upon the resignations of James Baker and former German President Horst Köhler from their roles as Personal Envoys of the UN Secretary-General to Western Sahara, attributing these decisions to Moroccan obstructions.

Ambassador Bendjama further highlighted Morocco’s refusal to endorse the organization of a self-determination referendum in Western Sahara, rooted in their perception that they have failed to garner the support of the Sahrawi people.

Call for Justice

Concluding his impassioned address, Ambassador Bendjama emphasized that the international community, underpinned by the most recent report from the UN Secretary-General, the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, and the judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union, is unwilling to let Morocco evade its responsibilities.

He beseeched the 4th Committee of the UN General Assembly to ensure that justice prevails for the long-suffering people of Western Sahara. These people have endured colonial oppression, the denial of their identity, and the suppression of their yearning for freedom and democracy. In his impassioned plea, Ambassador Bendjama reminded the world of the critical role that justice and truth play in resolving the protracted conflict in Western Sahara.

Ambassador Bendjama’s powerful words serve as a poignant reminder of the imperative for justice and self-determination to guide the resolution of the Western Sahara conflict, a cause for which the Sahrawi people have tirelessly struggled.