Bir Lehlou (liberated territories) July 9, 2011 (SPS) - In a statement of its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Saharawi Republic (SADR) announced Saturday its official recognition of the Republic of South Sudan as an independent state, expressing intention to consolidate the ties of friendship and solidarity with the Republic of South Sudan.
“Desirous to further consolidate the ties of friendship, solidarity and common struggle for freedom, self-determination and independence linked the two brotherly people in the Republic of South Sudan and Saharawi Republic and in line with the principles enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the African Union and UN Charter, the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic has decided to formally recognize the Republic of South Sudan as an independent and sovereign state.” The statement stated.
The statement hailed all parties signed on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for honouring their commitments and bringing the peace agreement to a successful conclusion, despite the magnitude of the challenges encountered along the way.
It also emphasized that the wisdom and high sense of responsibility shown by both H.E. Mr. Omer Hassan Ahmed Al Bashir, President of the Republic of Sudan, and H.E. Mr. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the of Southern Sudanese government, as well as their strong acceptance and solemn commitment to the democratic solution, based on the free exercise of the people of South Sudan of their inalienable right to self-determination, are “a commendable example of resolving conflicts by peaceful ways in line with the wishes and inalienable rights of the peoples and in conformity with requirements of the international legitimacy.”
“The Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, as a founding member of the African Union, welcomes and supports the admission of the Republic of South Sudan as a new Member State of the African Union,” the statement added, expressing commitment to work with it and with all the AU Member States for "achieving the cardinal objectives of our continental organization and realizing the aspirations of our peoples for peace, stability and sustainable development.”
The statement renewed the “unwavering support and solidarity of the Saharawi government and people with the Government and people of the Republic of South Sudan in their endeavors to establish and build their own independent state.”
It finally expressed the strong resolve of the Saharawi Republic to strengthen the relations of friendship, solidarity and mutual support existing between the two brotherly peoples and to boost them to the highest possible level in the interests of our two nations and those of our continent as a whole. (SPS)