Embassy of Algeria in Hungary: response to the false and unfounded allegations about the Tindouf camps

Following the publication, by the “Daily News Hungary” on 28 March 2023, of an interview under the “politics” section, entitled “ Interview with H.E Ms. Karima Kabbaj, Ambassador of Morocco to Hungary”, in which the subject of the camps in Tindouf was raised, the Embassy of Algeria in Hungary expresses its profound indignation regarding the fallacious and unfounded allegations made by the concerned person with regard to those camps that host Sahrawi refugees who have fled the atrocities and violations perpetrated by the Moroccan occupier of the Sahrawi Territories.

• related article: Interview with H.E. Mrs. Karima Kabbaj, Moroccan Ambassador to Hungary

These repeated allegations that has become obsolete, are a true reflection of the imaginary and fantasy world in which the occupying Moroccan authorities live, seeking to export their crises, both internal and external, in the wake of the multitude of international espionage and corruption scandals to which they are object, not to mention the reports on their systematic and continuous violations of the rights of the Sahrawi people, including its legitimate and inalienable right to self-determination.

By these unfounded allegations, Morocco’s representative undermines the credibility of the honourable humanitarian action carried out by various actors of the EU and the UN in the Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf, such as the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DGECHO), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the 2020 Nobel Prize laureate the World Food Program (WFP).

These ridiculous allegations are constantly contradicted by the representatives of the aforementioned organizations. In February 2023, the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Josep Borrelli Fonteless, rejected the allegations on the “diversion” of the EU humanitarian aid granted for the Sahrawi refugee camps, highlighting that the European Commission “has not found any evidence so far” in this regard.

He also pointed out that “any alleged irregularity is thoroughly checked”, insisting that “the EU, through the European Commission, finances humanitarian aid delivered to the Saharawi refugees exclusively through UN Agencies and International Non-Governmental Organizations”, adding also that “accountability is crucial for the Commission”, which “conducts audits” and “monitoring visits” on a regular basis.

Mr. Borell revealed that over the past five years, the Commission has carried out six audits relating to humanitarian actions implemented in the Sahrawi refugee camps, adding that the EU “remains firmly committed to preserving stability and security in the Sahel and the wider region”, and “does not have information on potential collaboration between the Polisario Front and terrorist groups in the region”.

This declaration comes in addition to that of the Spokesman for the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Stephane Dujarric, who confirmed that the personal envoy for Western Sahara, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, visited the Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf and, “contrary to some reports, he did not identify any child soldiers”.