Pretoria (South Africa), Oct 29, 2012 (SPS) - Final declaration of the Third International Solidarity Conference of the African National Congress (ANC), held on 25-28 October 2012 in Tshwane City Hall in Pretoria (South Africa) under the theme “united for a progressive, better world”, called on progressive forces to “unite on the urgency of advancing the aspirations of the peoples of Western Sahara towards a free and fair referendum”, asking the Security Council to extend MINURSO powers to include human rights monitoring in occupied Western Sahara.
The Declaration spoke about the peoples and nations still struggling and fighting for recovering their rights, expressing in particular solidarity with the Saharawi, Palestinian and Cuban peoples.
It also addressed the challenges face people of the African continent in building societies of democracy, development, respect for human rights and combating bribery.
The final session of the Conference presided by the Deputy President of South Africa Kgalema Motlanthe along with Executive Chairwoman of the African National Congress Ms. Baleka Mbete.
The four-day conference was brought together approximately 1000 delegates representing various political parties and liberation movements from Africa, Asia and Latin America.
At the end of the Conference, Chief of POLISARIO Political Branches Mr. Khalil Sid Mhamed received by Ms. Baleka Mbete, where they discussed the ways to boost higher the relations already existed between the African National Congress and Frente POLISARIO.
He also met with the representative of the Basque Left Party and South African Council of Churches, where they expressed intention to visit Western Sahara and to join the international solidarity movement with the Saharawi people. (SPS)
090/089/TRA