Algiers, October 23, 2024 (SPS) - The ambassador of the Sahrawi Republic in Algeria, Abdelkader Taleb Omar, received Swedish activists Benjamin Ladraa and Sanna Ghotbi on Wednesday, who expressed their strong belief in the legitimacy of the Sahrawi cause, reaffirming their support for the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination and independence.
The two Swedish activists, present in Algeria since last week as part of a cycling march in solidarity with the Sahrawi people, received a warm welcome at the embassy, where they underscored that the initiative aimed to convey the suffering of the Sahrawi people and to amplify their voice, as Moroccan occupation continues its silencing policies.
Speaking on this occasion, activist Sanna Ghotbi shared her "absolute" solidarity with the Sahrawi people and their right to self-determination, aiming to free themselves from colonial oppression. She mentioned the places they have traveled over the past two and a half years across 26 countries, carrying the Sahrawi flag alongside Benjamin Ladraa.
She emphasized that they approached the peoples of these countries to raise awareness about the Sahrawi issue as a matter of an occupied people, calling on the peoples of the various countries they visited to support the Sahrawi cause until they regain their freedom.
They also held a series of conferences on the Sahrawi issue at different universities in the countries they visited, allowing students to learn about this issue and express their support for the Sahrawi people.
For his part, Benjamin Ladraa clarified that "the Sahrawi cause is not just a matter of the struggle of the Sahrawi people, but it is the struggle of all humanity," adding that they spared no effort to mobilize peoples and countries for the recognition of the Sahrawi Republic.
He noted that Algeria was their last stop before heading to the Sahrawi refugee camps, adding that they will cycle 2,000 km with planned stops in several Algerian cities.
The Swedish activist emphasized that their tour will continue until the independence of the Sahrawi Republic is achieved.
For his part, the Sahrawi ambassador in Algeria praised the initiative of these two activists, highlighting that it reflects a humanitarian position in favor of justice and international legality, affirming that Western Sahara is a territory distinct from Morocco and that it is a matter of decolonization.
The Sahrawi ambassador remarked that the two Swedish activists and their accompanying cameraman came from afar just to support the righteousness of this cause, expressing his gratitude "for their efforts to raise awareness about the Sahrawi cause."
After recalling the latest decisions of the European Court and the UN Fourth Committee, he indicated that "all these positions and initiatives affirm the legitimacy of our cause, refute the propaganda and claims of the Moroccan occupier regarding its alleged sovereignty over Western Sahara."
The Sahrawi ambassador noted that the "makhzen is now isolated in face of these successive positions."
On this occasion, Mr. Abdelkader Taleb Oumar paid tribute to the Swedish activists, expressing his thanks and the gratitude of the Sahrawi people for their support and efforts to raise awareness of the Sahrawi issue around the world.