Berlin, 4 December 2022 (SPS) - The liberation revolutionary leader and former President of East Timor, Xanana Gusmao, stressed in the German capital Berlin that the decolonization of Western Sahara as the last colony in Africa is a "trial for all mankind".
In his intervention during the 46th edition of the European Coordination of Solidarity with the Sahrawi People (EUCOCO) conference, which opened Friday evening, Xanana Gusmao stressed, in his capacity as guest of honor, that "ending the process peacefully in the last African colony is a trial for all of humanity, but most of all, it is a trial for those who were once colonizers to prove that there is still time to correct the mistakes in Western Sahara."
The former President of East Timor added that "what the Sahrawi people have suffered of antagonism, injustice and unfair alliances, despite all their endurance and assistance through their constructive engagement with the plans of the United Nations that failed to achieve their will and fulfill their obligations, makes us all face historical responsibilities, as peoples, fighters and striving for a better world where security, stability, peace and coexistence among peoples prevail."
called for the help of our Sahrawi brothers and sisters, so that we can end the violation of human rights that they are subjected to, in addition to the exploitation of their natural resources" by the Moroccan occupation.
Xanana Gusmao recalled that he was a combatant during the war of liberation of East Timor and that he lived through all kinds of suffering and persecution: "I have witness more death and suffering than any human being should have, I humbly ask you to help our Sahrawi brothers and sisters, so that we can end the human rights violations to which they are subjected, as well as the exploitation of their natural resources" by the Moroccan occupation.
He also stressed the need to organize a free and fair referendum that would enable the Sahrawi people to exercise their right to decolonization and independence.
In a moment that everyone was moved by and applauded, the former President of East Timor bowed to the symbol of resistance, uprising and steadfastness, Sultana Khaya, in respect and appreciation for her peaceful struggle.
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