Geneva(Switzerland) March 02,2016 (SPS) - Algeria will continue to provide its support for a “just and definitive” settlement of the conflict in Western Sahara through a “free and regular” self-determination referendum, said Tuesday in Geneva (Switzerland) the Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ramtane Lamamra.
“My country will continue to spare no effort to provide its support to the action of the personal envoy of the United Nations Secretary General, ambassador Christopher Ross for a just and definitive settlement through a “free and regular” self-determination referendum,” he said in a speech at the high Level Segment of the 31st ordinary session of the UN Human Rights Council.
The State minister noted that through this “denial of right,” afflicting the people of Western Sahara, last African colony, the self-determination process is disrupted since 1975, date of Morocco’s occupation of this territory, declared non-autonomous by the United Nations.
“The attempts aimed at thwarting the international community’s willingness must not distract us from the imperative goal of a solution in accordance with the international law,” he warned, hailing the hurried mission, last year, by the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Sahrawi territory that he dubbed “a positive sign.”
Last Saturday, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the proclamation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), President Bouteflika said that Algeria will spare no effort” to bring its “support” to the United Nations Secretary General’s proposal to revive the direct negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario Front to come to a “just and sustainable” solution guaranteeing the Sahrawi people their right to self-determination.
The UN Secretary General scheduled, on 6 and 7 March, a visit to the region, particularly to the Sahrawi refugee camps. It was preceded by that of the Personal Envoy for Western Sahara.SPS
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