"This is nothing more than a vain attempt to target the positive dynamic experienced by the Moroccan Sahara issue in the wake of the international momentum formally and officially supporting Morocco's territorial integrity and recognizing the autonomy initiative as a credible and serious solution" to this regional dispute, in accordance with Security Council resolutions, underlined the Moroccan diplomat, who was speaking within the framework of the 46th session of the HRC.

Zniber exposed the allegations of the hostile group on the situation in the Southern Provinces, highlighting the climate of serenity and political stability prevailing in these regions of Morocco. 

The populations of the provinces are represented by elected officials as their legitimate voice within the political process of the round-tables and also at the level of the UN Committee of 24 (C24), he continued. The polisario, as a separatist group, can in no way be considered as a representative of the people of the Moroccan Sahara, Zniber insisted.

Recalling Morocco's intervention to free the crossing of El Guerguarat, the diplomat noted that the separatist militias had blocked the road at the borders between the Kingdom and Mauritania, in violation of international law and despite multiple calls by the UN Secretary-General to leave the buffer zone.

Morocco intervened to restore the situation by clearing this vital crossing under the supervision of the MINURSO with no casualties, Zniber stated.

"Since then, the separatist militias supported by the official Algerian media have been claiming imaginary victories, using fabricated videos from various war zones that are far from our southern provinces," he added.

Spreading false information through propaganda not only shows a lack of respect for the international community, but it also aims to undermine Morocco's peaceful and serene efforts to end this artificial dispute, Zniber said.

"Through these actions, the separatist movement and its mentors provide clear evidence of their warmongering attitude," the ambassador added, recalling Morocco's full commitment to its international obligations.

He also highlighted the extraordinary economic, social and cultural development of the Southern Provinces, as well as the progress made in this part of the Kingdom, in terms of the establishment of world-class infrastructure, including universities, hospitals, highways, international airports and renewable energy plants, among others.

The economic development of this region not only benefits the local population, it also provides an opportunity to establish a hub of connectivity at the continental level, he said.

On Morocco's management of the situation related to the novel coronavirus pandemic, Zniber noted that the Kingdom has shown solidarity with dozens of countries in these difficult times, including sister countries in Africa.

Contrary to the lies of Algeria, the separatists and the propaganda of the isolated hostile group, all Moroccans, including those in the Southern Provinces, have received strong support through the Covid-19 vaccination campaign, which ranked Morocco among the countries that have recorded exceptional figures at the international level, Zniber insisted.

The diplomat also reaffirmed Morocco's commitment, like the vast majority of delegations present, to maintain a constructive environment within the HRC, which is not the appropriate place to display differences and hostilities on political issues outside the Council's mandate.