Shaheed Elhafed (refugee camps) May 11, 2015 (SPS) - The Saharawi people celebrated Sunday 42th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Front of Seguia al Hamra and Rio de Oro (Polisario Front) May 10, 1973.
The Polisario Front is a political movement whose objective is the independence of Western Sahara, then under Spanish control. The occupation of the territory by Morocco in 1975, triggered a liberation war that lasted 16 years.
A cease-fire agreement, under the auspices of the United Nations, has been finally concluded in 1988. It took take effect in 1991.
The United Nations has set up a mission for the organization of the referendum for self-determination of the Saharawi people that never took place as result of the obstacles placed by Morocco supported by France.
Resolution 34/37 adopted by the UN General Assembly on November 21, 1979 recognizes the Polisario Front as "the sole legitimate representative of the Saharawi people".
Since 2007 the Polisario Front has been engaged in negotiation with Morocco under the United Nations auspices to find a just and lasting solution that ensures the right to self-determination of the Saharawi people, as stipulated in various resolutions of the Security Council. (SPS)
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