Ban Ki-moon Denounces Moroccan Espionage
According to a Reuters dispatch published on April 12, 2012, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon suggested that Morocco had spied on MINURSO, the UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara, potentially compromising its ability to operate effectively.
Reuters added that Ban’s report to the UN Security Council highlighted the difficulties faced by the mission, including restrictions on movement and possible breaches of confidential communications. Morocco, which claims sovereignty over Western Sahara, did not officially respond to the allegations.
The agency reported that the Polisario Front criticized the UN for allegedly softening the report under Moroccan pressure. Ban urged the Council to renew MINURSO’s mandate and expand its personnel to improve monitoring. However, disagreements persisted, particularly over the inclusion of a human rights monitoring mechanism, which Morocco and its ally, France, opposed.
Covering Up Violations in Western Sahara
On June 17, 2015, The Guardian reported on a leaked UN document accusing Morocco of intercepting UN communications and using unethical tactics to influence the organization’s stance on Western Sahara. The report, based on leaked Moroccan correspondence from 2012 to 2014, suggested that Morocco sought to suppress UN scrutiny of human rights violations in the occupied territory.
According to The Guardian, Moroccan tactics included intercepting internal UN messages, making strategic donations to influence the UN Human Rights Office, exerting pressure against investigative missions, and blocking a mandate for UN peacekeepers to monitor human rights.
The leaks, published by an anonymous source—likely referring to hacker Chris Coleman—indicated that Morocco’s ambassador explicitly referenced intercepted UN communications.
Indeed, French hacker Chris Coleman provided further details on Moroccan espionage, releasing confidential UN documents. One such document, a letter sent to the Moroccan Foreign Minister by Lotfi Bouchaara, Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (2013–2016), was classified as « internal and confidential. » It contained « talking points for Ban Ki-moon » for his meeting with the Algerian delegation’s head on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Monitoring Algeria’s Activities
During a meeting with Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra on September 21, 2014, several key topics were discussed: Algeria’s constitutional reform process, encouragement to continue supporting negotiations on Western Sahara, support for human rights initiatives in Western Sahara and refugee camps in Tindouf, cooperation with MINURSO, the need to improve bilateral relations with Morocco, appreciation for Algeria’s role in the peace process and encouragement for broad consultations in Mali, an invitation to support the new UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Libya, Bernardino León, a broader discussion on the Sahel region’s situation.
The Chadian President Also Involved
Another document detailed Ban Ki-moon’s meeting with Chadian President Idriss Déby. The main points included:
Chad’s Stability: Since 2010, Chad maintained relative stability despite regional crises, leading to a massive influx of refugees and returnees, straining its economy and society. Politically, President Déby’s party dominated, while the opposition remained fragmented. Elections could be delayed due to logistical reasons, raising tensions. Ministerial instability was also a challenge.
Security Issues: Chad played a key role in the fight against Boko Haram, hosted foreign military personnel, and conducted regional operations. It closed its border with the Central African Republic due to violence and faced humanitarian challenges from returnees. Chad’s involvement in the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA) led to heavy casualties, prompting discussions about withdrawal. Actively engaged in the Sahel, Chad advocated for UN security reforms.
Environmental and Strategic Issues: Chad fought against poaching by imposing a moratorium on ivory sales. It also hosted French military bases as part of Operation Barkhane, strengthening its strategic role in regional security.
A Spy in the UN Department of Political Affairs
In New York, Morocco’s Deputy Representative to the UN, Lotfi Bouchaara, referred to “our sources within the UN Secretariat” regarding a “confidential document containing talking points on human rights issues, not yet finalized, prepared for the UN Secretary-General’s meeting with Mohamed Abdelaziz” (the former Polisario leader).
An email suggested that this mole might be Kishore Deraya, Deputy Director of Political Affairs in the UN Secretary-General’s Office. He reportedly shared information with Nasser Bourita (now Morocco’s Foreign Minister) in an email dated May 12, 2012, following Morocco’s announcement of withdrawing confidence from Christopher Ross, the former UN envoy for Western Sahara.
Additionally, other illegally obtained MINURSO documents included:
Abdelaziz Hany’s Report on the September 2011 events in Dakhla.
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