Omar Hilale says Russian veto strengthens Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Yabiladi
Morocco’s ambassador to the UN, Omar Hilale, says Russia’s veto of the US draft resolution on MINURSO consolidated, in his view, Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara. He attributes Moscow’s decision to Algeria’s influence, in an interview with Medi1 TV.
Omar Hilale, Morocco’s permanent representative to the United Nations, says the Russian veto of a US draft resolution on MINURSO strengthens, in his view, Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara. He said on Sunday 1 November in an interview with Medi1 TV that the veto had removed some Security Council discussions about the mission’s mandate, according to Yabiladi.
The Moroccan diplomat attributed Moscow’s decision to Algeria’s influence, saying Algiers had worked to block the US draft. He nevertheless said Morocco intended to preserve its strategic partnership with Russia, established in March 2016 by King Mohammed VI and President Vladimir Putin.
Omar Hilale added that Rabat would continue to cooperate with Moscow despite its vote. Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita had said the previous day that Morocco had been informed in advance of Russia’s position and had not sought to change it, according to Yabiladi.
The statements come after Russia’s veto of the US resolution on the Sahara on 30 October 2026. They follow Nasser Bourita’s position that, on 31 October, Rabat had anticipated the Russian veto.
