Madrid, 2 April 2024 (SPS) - The representative of the Polisario Front in Spain, Abdulah Arabi, has warned the Spanish public company responsible for air navigation management, ENAIRE E.P.E., against violating international law in Western Sahara through the use of a false map.
In a letter addressed to the president of the Spanish company, Mr. Arabi emphasized that the disregard for the distinct and separate status of Western Sahara from Moroccan territory in the maps used in its applications constitutes a violation of international law.
The Sahrawi diplomat stressed that no party can exempt itself from the duty to respect international law, noting that it is the responsibility of the company responsible for monitoring the airspace of Western Sahara, ENAIRE E.P.E., to ensure compliance with and implementation of established procedures in accordance with the provisions of international regulations.
Furthermore, Mr. Arabi pointed out that the failure to correct the maps used by the company means ignoring the existing border between Western Sahara and Morocco. This border is internationally recognized, among others, by the United Nations, as well as regional and international organizations and courts.
According to him, the company has not taken into account the separate and distinct status of the two territories, noting that this is one of the main arguments put forward by the Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in his conclusions published on March 21, proposing the annulment of the fishing agreement between the European Union (EU) and Morocco.
In this regard, he expressed the Polisario Front's opposition to any initiative that contributes to Morocco's strategy of assimilating the territory of Western Sahara into its own territory.
The Sahrawi diplomat indicated that these actions hinder the effective exercise by the people of Western Sahara of their right to self-determination and independence. However, he emphasized that the Polisario Front was determined to defend the legitimate rights of the Sahrawi people.