JOHANNESBURG (South Africa) 18 June 2015 (SPS) -The Conference of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) called on, in decision adopted on Monday at the AU summit in Johannesburg, the UN General Assembly to "set a date for holding the self-determination referendum of the people of Western Sahara and to protect its integrity."
Recalling the legal opinion given by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 16 October 1975, the Conference called the United Nations General Assembly to "set a date for the holding of the self-determination referendum for the people of Western Sahara and protect the integrity of Western Sahara as a non-autonomous territory against any act likely to undermine its integrity."
The AU Summit of Heads of State and Government "notes with deep concern about the long impasse to reach a solution to the conflict of Western Sahara."
The Conference stresses "the urgent need for renewed international efforts to facilitate the early resolution of the conflict."
The Conference also recalled "the PSC communiqué of 27 March 2015 which reiterates its full support to the Special Envoy of the African Union for Western Sahara, former President Joaquim Chissano."
Besides, the Conference calls on the Security Council to "assume its responsibilities and to address issues of compliance with human rights and the illegal exploitation of land resources."
The Conference "encourages the Chairperson of the Commission to continue its efforts." SPS
090/125/700