New York, Oct 13, 2013 (SPS) - The Kingdom of Lesotho has reiterated its well-known position of support to freedom and self-determination for the people of Western Sahara, adding that achieving a just and lasting solution that would provide for the self-determination of the Saharawi people “is an imperative of our time.”
Speaking during the session of the UN Decolonization Committee, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Lesotho to the UN Mr. Kelebone A. Maope said that freedom and the right to determine one’s destiny “are inherent”, underlying that the Saharawi people and other colonized territories should enjoy that right, as did the citizens of independent states.
“The ongoing tension between the parties due to the stalemate in implementing the United Nations’ resolution mandating the holding of a referendum of self-determination is a source of concern to my delegation,” indicated Mr. Maope.
Lesotho, added the ambassador, supports the efforts of the UN Secretary General and his Special Envoy to finding a lasting solution to the question of Western Sahara.
He also called on the parties to the conflict of Western Sahara to initiate unconditional and formal negotiations without any further delay, emphasizing that two states that co-exist side by side in peace and security “is the only guarantee for an enduring peace and stability between these two sister countries.” (SPS)
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