New York (United Nations) 15 June 2022 (SPS)- The Permanent Representative of Zimbabwe to the UN, H.E. Amb. A. R. Chimbindi, considered in his statement before the UN substantive Session of the Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24) 76th Session of the UN General Assembly, held on Monday 13 June, that the UN, and the security Council in particular, must assume their responsibilities in the decolonization of the remaining 17 colonies.
“We are now in the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (2021-2030) with 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories yearning for United Nations assistance to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination,” he said.
He urged “the Special Committee to take concrete steps towards ensuring that the people of Western Sahara are afforded their deserved opportunity to determine their own destiny without let or hindrance. The Saharawi people have been patiently waiting for the long-promised referendum on self-determination.”
Following is the full text of the statement, of which SPS received a copy:
Statement by Ambassador A. R. Chimindi, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Zimbabwe, on the question of Western Sahara, to the 2022 Session of the Special Committee on the situation with regards to the implementation of the declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples: 13 June 2022.
Madam Chair,
Thank you for the opportunity to address this Substantive Session of the Special Committee on Decolonization. My delegation extends to you, and the Members of the Bureau, best wishes in steering the work of this Committee. Please be assured of Zimbabwe’s full support and cooperation.
The importance of the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples cannot be overemphasized. By adopting resolution 1514 (XV) in 1960, the General Assembly acknowledged the crucial role by the United Nations to assist Non-Self-Governing Territories to exercise their right to self-determination. We are now in the Fourth International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (2021-2030) with 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories yearning for United Nations assistance to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination.
Zimbabwe, sympathizes and empathises with all people being denied their right to self-determination and wishes to express its unwavering support to all people struggling for self-determination. Zimbabwe is fully committed to ensuring that Non-Self-Governing Territories are able to enjoy their inalienable right to self-determination, a right that we cherish and guard jealously. The Security Council should take up its responsibility on the issue of decolonization and redouble its efforts to find peaceful and lasting solutions to the decolonisation of all the 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories. In that regard, Zimbabwe supports all the General Assembly and Security Council resolutions aimed at bringing to an end colonialism in all its forms and manifestations.
Madam Chair,
The Special Committee must uphold its longstanding and unequivocal position that Western Sahara remains a Non-Self-Governing Territory, whose people have an inalienable right to self-determination to be achieved through a free and fair referendum in line with the UN Settlement Plan and the relevant UN and AU Decisions and Resolutions. To this end, we urge the Special Committee to take concrete steps towards ensuring that the people of Western Sahara are afforded their deserved opportunity to determine their own destiny without let or hindrance. The Saharawi people have been patiently waiting for the long-promised referendum on self-determination.
Zimbabwe welcomes the appointment of Steffarn de Mistura, by the UN Secretary General, as his Personal Envoy for Western Sahara. Zimbabwe hopes the good office of the UN Secretary General, will help move this long standing matter forward. Zimbabwe, equally, notes UN Security Council Resolution 2602 of October 2021 and supports its call for the resumption of the political process and reaffirmed the commitment by the UNSC to assist the parties to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that will provide for the self-determination of Western Sahara.
In conclusion, we support efforts by the United Nations towards the full implementation of relevant General Assembly and Security Council resolutions on decolonisation and reiterate that the role of the Special Committee is very important in advancing decolonization of all remaining Non-Governing Territories.
I thank you for your attention.” (SPS)
090/500/60 (SPS)