Pretoria (South Africa) 14 Jan 2021 (SPS)- Algerian and South African Ministers for Foreign Affairs, expressed their countries’ support for the holding of a referendum on self-determination, in a joint Communiqué culminating a Working Visit by H.E. Mr. Sabri Boukadoum, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria to South Africa on January 12, 2021.
Mr. Boukadoum and his South African counterpart, H.E. Mrs. Naledi Pandor , “discussed the important matter of the Western Sahara. They expressed serious concerns over the escalation of military tensions in the occupied territories and in this regard reaffirmed their position which is to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, and in terms of Security Council resolution 690 (1991) and subsequent resolutions, is the holding of a free and fair referendum on self-determination for the people of Western Sahara.”
The two Ministers expressed their “full support for an immediate appointment by the United Nations Secretary General of his Personal Envoy for the Western Sahara which has been outstanding for some time.”
The Ministers “also exchanged views on the political and security situation on the Continent, and noted with concern the continued instability and conflict in some parts of the Continent,” they further “condemned in the strongest possible terms all forms of terrorism and extremism.”
The two Ministers finally “reaffirmed their commitment to working together in pursuit of sustainable peace, stability and development on the Continent.”
In a statement to the press after the culmination of this bilateral meeting, the Algerian Minister declared that Algeria is “extremely proud of the job done by South Africa in New York and its tenure at the AU. It has been fantastic not only for South Africa but for Africa as a whole. The strong leadership shown by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the AU is a model for all those who continue, and we hope they will be inspired.” (SPS)
090/500/60 (SPS)