ALGIERS, December 16, 2013 (SPS) - Minister of Foreign Affairs Ramtane Lamamra reaffirmed on Sunday that the issue of Western Sahara is a decolonization matter that Algeria, which is not involved, defends the principle of the people’s rights to self-determination just like it has always done.
"The Western Sahara issue is a decolonization matter, every one in the region recognizes the right of people to self-determination, particularly that of the Saharawi people," Foreign Minister told TV channel "France 24" in an interview, recalling that a UN mission, Minurso, has been fielded with the agreement of all.
The UN recognized that the only territory in the African continent demanding a referendum for its people is that of Western Sahara, he said, explaining that it’s evident from a legal and political point of view.
He pointed out that "Algeria is not involved in the conflict but defends the Saharawi issue just like it’s doing with the Palestinian issue as it did before with Nelson Mandela against apartheid in South Africa. It’s an issue of principle, Algeria bears no hate towards the Moroccan brother people," he stressed.
For Algeria’s top diplomat, "things should be resolved in accordance with the UN decisions which associates the Moroccan kingdom, through UN’s Envoy Christopher Ross, in the research of a negotiated solution with the Polisario Front.
"Things are very clear," Lamamra added. (SPS)
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