On Monday, the UN Security Council held a debate on «The Challenges of Forced Displacement Worldwide». During the session, Algeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations used the opportunity to reaffirm that «Algeria has hosted Sahrawi refugees in the Tindouf camps for over five decades. These refugees were forced to flee their homeland due to the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara». Ambassador Amar Benjama emphasized that «the top priority remains reaching a political solution that guarantees Sahrawi refugees their inalienable right to self-determination. This must be achieved through a free and transparent referendum, in line with UN Security Council resolutions and international law». The remarks were swiftly denounced by Morocco's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Omar Hilale, who responded in a letter to the Council. He described the statement as «tendentious», rejecting the portrayal of the Tindouf camp residents as forcibly displaced. Hilale argued that the population in Tindouf is not displaced, but rather «held against their will for half a century». He accused Algeria of depriving them of fundamental rights, including the right to return to Morocco, resettle in a third country, or integrate into Algeria—the three durable solutions advocated by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The Moroccan diplomat also criticized the lack of a proper census in the camps, stating that it «facilitates the diversion of humanitarian aid», leading international agencies and NGOs to reduce their assistance. Hilale concluded by citing multiple reports confirming these claims, including findings from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the UNHCR Office of the Inspector General, the World Food Programme, and various NGOs and international bodies.
