April 2013

Addis Ababa, April 8, 2013 (SPS) - The 50th Anniversary torch presented Monday to Ethiopia, which hosts the 14th extraordinary session of African Union Executive Council, as a symbol for the kicking off of the preparations for the celebrations of 50th anniversary of the founding of the OAU and AU, which will run until next May 25th.


In this respect, anniversary torches will be handed over to each Member state, to be lighted at an event in every country during the coming months as a sign of the continent-wide celebrations.

London, April 8, 2013 (SPS) - Western Sahara Resource Watch (WSRW) has denounced on its website, the depletion of underground water reserves of occupied Western Sahara by the Moroccan agricultural industry.


According to what has been published on the website of the NGO, owners of large agricultural plantations surrounding the city of Dakhla have resorted to drilling water wells threatening the underground water basins.

Chahid Al Hafed (refugee camps), April 8, 2013 (SPS) - President of the Saharawi delegation that took part at World Social Forum, recently convened in Tunis, described Saharawi participation as “remarkable and distinctive”, appreciating the positions expressed at the Forum by Tunisian and European political forces on Saharawis cause.

Johannesburg, April 8, 2013 (SPS) - Several foreign student and youth organizations, present at a partnership seminar organized in Johannesburg by Danish NGO Afrika Kontakt, have denounced the serious violations of human rights daily perpetuated by Moroccan repression forces in the occupied territories of Western Sahara, informed a source in Saharawi Students Union.

Algiers, April 8, 2013 (SPS) - Chairman of the National Party for Solidarity and Development (PNSD) Mr. Taleb Mohamed Sharif confirmed that the position of Algeria’s official authorities, political parties and elected bodies regarding the Saharawi cause is that of the principle to implement UN resolutions and resolve the conflict in accordance with international legitimacy, indicating that Algeria remains in favour of the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination.

Addis Ababa, April 8, 2013 (SPS) - A delegation representing the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic attended yesterday, Sunday, the commemoration of the 19th anniversary of the Rwanda Genocide at headquarters of the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia.


The genocide took place on 7th March 1994 and resulted in the loss of thousands of innocent people.

Johannesburg, April 7, 2013 (SPS) - Head of Secretariat at the Danish NGO Afrika Kontakt Mr. Morten Nielsen renewed Sunday commitment of his organization to continue advocating for the right of the people of Western Sahara to freedom and independence.

Madrid, April 7, 2013 (SPS) - The Prime Minister of Spain Mr. Mariano Rajoy has confirmed his country’s support to “a just, durable and mutually acceptable solution which provides for self-determination.”


In a press conference after his meeting with UN Secretary General, Mr. Rajoy affirmed Spain’s support to efforts of the United Nations in Western Sahara, defending the right of self-determination in Western Sahara in accordance with UN resolutions. (SPS)


090/089/TRA

Stockholm, April 7, 2013 (SPS) - The Social Democratic Party of Sweden reaffirmed Sunday its commitment to recognize the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), as to end to Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara, in a statement concluded its congress that took place Gothenburg.


Defense of Saharawi people’s self-determination, recognition of SADR, end of Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara and the need to respect international regarding the relations between the European Union and Morocco were among priority at the core of Party’s programme.

Addis Ababa, April 7, 2013 (SPS) - The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Mohamed Salem Ould Salek will lead the Saharawi Republic delegation at the 14th Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union, to be held tomorrow in Addis Ababa, according to Saharawi diplomatic source.


This extraordinary session will also consider the draft Strategic Plan 2014-2017 for the African Union Commission (AUC) as well as the progress report on the draft budget of the AUC for 2014.

Palma de Mallorca (Spain), April 7, 2013 (SPS) - The sixth political parties in Balearic Islands, Spain, have asked government to put pressure on Morocco to cancel the illegal judgments against Gdeim Izik political prisoners, calling for the release of all the Saharawi political detainees, reported Saturday Spanish Press Agency (EFE).


This position has been expressed in a joint statement signed by the main political formations within the parliament of Balearic Island.

London, April 6, 2013 (SPS) - Amnesty International urged, in a report published on its website on Wednesday, the Security Council to include a human rights monitoring component in the MINURSO’s mandate when renewing it this month.

Tunis, April 6, 2013 (SPS) - Social movements that took part at the World Social Forum “vehemently” condemned the attack on its public gathering by Moroccan delegates on 29th March 2013, reaffirming, in a final declaration signed by more than 50 organizations, “solidarity and active commitment with the Saharawi people and in favor of the respect for international agreements that recognize their rights.”

Kigali, April 6, 2013 (SPS) - Members of the POLISARIO National Secretariat and Head of the National Committee for the Referendum Mr. Mhamed Khadda received Friday by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda Ms. Louise Mushikiwabo.


The meeting also attended by the Saharawi ambassador to Rwanda Mr. Lehbi Boujrais.

Panama, April 6, 2013 (SPS) - Saharawi Ambassador to the Republic of Panama Mr. Ali Mahmud received Friday by the Chancellor of the Republic of Panama Mr. Núñez Fábrega, in the presence of Ambassador and Foreign Policy’s Director General Ms. Delia Vilmonte, informed Saharawi diplomatic sources.


The meeting took place at the office of Panama’s Chancellor, where the two sides reviewed the bilateral relations between their two countries.

Addis Ababa, April 6, 2013 (SPS) - Saharawi Ambassador in Ethiopia Mr. Laman Baali presented Friday evening his credentials to H.E. Ms. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of AU Commission, as a permanent representative of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic to the African Union.

Johannesburg, April 5, 2013 (SPS) - At the invitation of the Danish organization Afrika Kontakt , the Saharawi Student Union (Spanish acronym; UESARIO) takes part at a partnership seminar organized by the NGO from 03rd to 07th April in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa.


UESARIO is represented by the member of its executive bureau, Salama Mohamed.


The seminar discusses the ways to strengthen cooperation and solidarity between the Danish NGO, Afrika Kontakt, and its partners across Africa.

Pretoria, April 5, 2013 (SPS) - Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, HE Mrs. Maite Nkoane-Mashabane, confirmed that human rights violations in Western Sahara “stem from the non-realisation of the right to self-determination for the Saharawi people”, reaffirming solidarity with SADR government and people in their struggle for self-determination and independence.

Bir Lehlou (liberated territories), April 5, 2013 (SPS) - President of Republic and Secretary General of the Frente POLISARIO Mr. Mohamed Abdelaziz has demanded the urgent cessation of illegal survey operations off the coast of Western Sahara by Total SA’s foreign company, in a letter sent Thursday to the UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon, a copy of it reached SPS.

Algiers, April 5, 2013 (SPS) - President of the Cuban-Algerian Parliamentary Group of Friendship Ms. Kenia Serrano said on Thursday that Cuba supports the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination.


“The Saharawis respect international legitimacy in this regard. Therefore like Algeria, Cuba supports and calls for the right of Saharawi people to self-determination,” Ms. Serrano stated after a meeting with Algerian Foreign Minister.