Lusaka (Zambia), February 28, 2017 - Zambia did not withdraw its recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), said the Zambian ministry of Foreign Affairs, bringing an official denial to the information published by the Moroccan Press Agency (MAP), relayed by media.
“The ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to confirm that, contrary to recent Media reports, the visit of the King of Morocco has not resulted in Zambia’s withdrawal of recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic,” said the Zambian ministry in a communiqué, published by Zambia Daily Mail.
Moroccan media attributed to the Zambian minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba false declarations relating to a so-called “withdrawal of his country’s recognition of the SADR,” following the Moroccan King’s visit to Zambia.
Furthermore, Zambia expressed its support “to the efforts of the United Nations to achieve a final solution to the regional dispute on Western Sahara.”
“In this regard, and as is our renowned tradition, Zambia is willing to effectively contribute, constructively, to these efforts (…)” through an active dialogue engaging the relevant parties (Morocco and the Polisario Front), added the ministry.
In addition, Zambia considers Morocco’s accession to the African Union as “an opportunity for the settlement of the conflict” in Western Sahara in a spirit of dialogue and mutual respect. SPS
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