Geneva – Rachid Beladhane, Algeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and international organizations in Geneva, declared on Friday, October 18, 2024, that Algeria unequivocally rejects Morocco’s blackmail tactics against the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other humanitarian agencies. He criticized Morocco’s baseless allegations, accusing Rabat of obstructing the work of the UNHCR while targeting Algeria with unfounded accusations.
During a vote on the UNHCR’s 2025 budget, Beladhane emphasized:
“I would like to remind this esteemed assembly that, as usual, Morocco persists in using baseless and unfounded arguments to hinder the work of the UNHCR, particularly by falsely accusing my country, which is committed to supporting international law and hosting refugees fleeing persecution and death.”
Beladhane stressed that Algeria categorically rejects Morocco’s blackmail directed not only at the UNHCR but also at other humanitarian organizations, including the World Food Program (WFP).
Obstruction of Humanitarian Assistance
Beladhane criticized Morocco’s attempt to politicize humanitarian aid and asked:
“Why does Morocco, which claims sovereignty over Western Sahara and its people, continue to stifle these displaced populations, who found refuge in Algeria, by depriving them of vital assistance from the UNHCR and other humanitarian agencies?”
He warned that Morocco’s obstructive actions threaten the operations of the UNHCR, an institution that provides critical services to 123 million refugees and displaced persons worldwide, most of whom are in Africa.
Algeria’s Continued Support for the UNHCR
Beladhane reiterated Algeria’s confidence in the UNHCR, affirming that all documents and actions by the agency align with international law. Algeria has consistently supported the UNHCR’s budget proposals over the years and will continue to do so, as part of its commitment to alleviating the suffering of millions of refugees and displaced people worldwide.
He further emphasized that Algeria will ensure that the language used by the UN aligns with the UN’s standards and warned against any political manipulation of the humanitarian work carried out by the UNHCR:
“Algeria will not accept any modifications aimed at the arbitrary politicization of the purely humanitarian mission of the UNHCR.”
Support for Western Sahara and Sahrawi Refugees
During the 75th Executive Committee session of the UNHCR, held in Geneva from October 14 to 18, 2024, Beladhane reiterated Algeria’s call for humanitarian agencies and donors to contribute to the support plan for 173,600 Sahrawi refugees in need.
Beladhane also highlighted the unlawful exploitation of Western Sahara’s resources by Moroccan authorities, reaffirming Algeria’s unwavering support for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination. He reminded the session of a recent European Court of Justice ruling, which declared that trade agreements between the European Commission and Morocco violated international law by failing to secure the consent of the Sahrawi people.
For more updates on Algeria’s diplomatic actions and regional affairs, visit DZWATCH.DZ.
Author: nor-eleslam
Algeria, Morocco, UNHCR, Sahrawi Refugees, Humanitarian Aid
