Shaheed El-Hafed (refugee camps), April 7, 2018 (SPS) - The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Western Sahara, Head of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), Colin Stewart, was Friday received by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Salem Hamada, at the MFA headquarters.
Mr. Stewart, who was accompanied by the Head of MINURSO Liaison Office in Tindouf, Yusuf Jidian, presented his condolences to the Polisario Front following the passing away of the Boukhari Ahmed, and proceeded to sign the register of condolences.
Mr. Stewart praised on behalf of the United Nations and its Secretary General the qualities of the deceased who enjoyed the respect of those who worked with him at the United Nations as a representative of the Polisario Front for years.
"The Secretary-General (UN) is saddened to hear of the death of Ahmed Boukhari and he extends his sincere condolences to his family," UN Security Council spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said during his daily press briefing.
Boukhari Ahmed passed away Tuesday night after a long illness, announced the presidency of the Republic.
The deceased had joined the ranks of the Polisario Front from since a young age. "By his death, the Saharawi people have lost one of their men who sacrificed their lives to serve the national cause," said the presidency in a statement.
Known for his diplomatic and juridical skills, especially at the United Nations, "the deceased accomplished his mission with patience and perseverance until the last breath," the statement added.
A seven-day national mourning was decreed from Wednesday in tribute to his diplomat and inveterate activism for the Saharawi cause. His body will be buried next Sunday at the cemetery of the wialya of Smara.
Condolence registers have been opened at the SADR embassies and the Polisario Front representations around the world to receive condolences, it should be recalled. (SPS)
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