Morocco accused of violating UN Charter over Western Sahara

The United Nations has accused Morocco of violating the UN Charter by ordering the withdrawal of the agency's peacekeeping mission from the disputed Western Sahara.

UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq warned Monday that without an effective peacekeeping force, there is a risk of a return to heightened tensions "and even conflict."

Morocco on Sunday ordered 84 UN civilian workers to leave. Haq says 11 of those people were no longer with the mission. Of the remaining 73, 72 have left and one remains for medical reasons.

The expulsion includes members of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara and the African Union.

Haq says Morocco has also ordered the UN to close its military office in Dakhla, Western Sahara.

The kingdom also announced it will stop a $3 million aid fund to the UN.

Remarks made by UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon earlier this month sparked outrage across Morocco.

Following a visit to a camp in Algeria for refugees from the Western Sahara, the UN chief referred to the territorial status of the disputed region as occupied. 

The Western Sahara has been administered by Rabat for over forty years.

Ban Ki-moon remarks led to protests in the Moroccan capital last week.

The UN also came under harsh criticism by Rabat.

While the Algerian-backed Polisario Front seek independence for the Western Sahara region, Morocco has ruled out the option.

Yet the UN continues to work on an independence referendum for the region.