ISESCO criticizes UN chief’s remarks on disputed Western Sahara

The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) has criticised remarks made by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the disputed Western Sahara territory during his visit to the Sahrawi refugee camps in Algeria last week.

In a statement ISESCO Director-General Abdul-Aziz Othman Al-Twaijri criticised the terms used by Ki-moon “against the Kingdom of Morocco and its national cause”.

The statement described his words as an “unacceptable departure, legally and politically, from the United Nations references, including the UN General Assembly recommendations or the Security Council resolutions”.

“This is a strange position by the UN Secretary-General at the end of his term which would increase tensions in the region and threatens international peace and security,” Al-Twaijri said.

After his visit to the camps, Ki-moon said that he would spare no effort in helping to achieve progress towards a solution to the Sahara issue.

Estefan Dogrec, UN chief spokesman, said on Monday that the UN chief had been influenced by what he saw in Algeria.

Morocco on Tuesday accused Ki-moon of speaking out of turn on the disputed Western Sahara.