Morocco Has no Animosity towards United Nations Secretary General

PERSISMA, Rabat – Morocco has no animosity towards UNSG Ban Ki-Moon or the UN but remains attached to its natural right over its Sahara, said head of government Abdelilah Benkirane on Thursday in Rabat.

“We have no animosity towards Ban Ki-Moon or the UN but at the same time we reaffirm our attachment to our Sahara and our natural right over this land, as well as our right to protect our sons in this region and repatriate our sons who are in Algeria’s grip,” said Benkirane at the opening of the weekly cabinet meeting.

“There is a category of people who are deprived of freedom and under the grip of a State that prejudiced its own citizens and others. We demand that Ban Ki Moon direct his efforts to solving problems on the other side (..). Our Algerian brothers should listen to reason,” he added.

It seems that Ban did not appreciate the huge number of Moroccans taking to the streets (Rabat march). But statements made by Ban Ki Moon, either voluntarily or imprudently, stirred the anger of all the people, Ban who leads an organization bringing together peoples and nations, he went on, saying that the UNSG should at least avoid angering peoples this way and acknowledge their right to speak.

Ban Ki Moon should not forget that Morocco is a centuries-old country with a long history, he said.