Algiers,13 February 2016 (SPS) - The United States of America reiterated its commitment to settling the conflict in Western Sahara as part of the United Nations’ efforts on the basis of a solution allowing the Sahrawi people to exercise their right to self-determination, said Tuesday the US ambassador to Algiers in a communiqué released on the occasion of the visit of a delegation of American officials to the Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf.
“The US continues its strong support to the negotiation process led by the United Nations, which aims at reaching a fair, lasting and a mutually acceptable political solution which enables the Sahrawi people’s self-determination,” said the communiqué.
Led by the ambassador Joan A. Polaschik, the delegation of the American officials aims, through this visit, at “assessing the implementation of the US humanitarian aid to the Sahrawi refugees and learning more about the challenges to which they are confronted,” added the source.
The delegation will “meet representatives of the United Nations and discuss with the Sahrawi refugees, particularly women and young people, to better understand the humanitarian situation in the camps,” said the source.
The United States of America is a major contributor of the humanitarian aid, said the source, recalling that “since October 2013, the United States contributed with more than 23 million dollars to help the Sahrawi refugees, including more than 4 million dollars to support the activities and efforts of reconstruction following the floods that affected the Sahrawi refugee camps on 15 October 2015.” (SPS)
125/090/700