Dakhla (refugee camps), December 16, 2015 (SPS) The President of Republic, Secretary General of the Polisario Front, Mohamed Abdelaziz, called on the Saharawi people to preserve and strengthen their national unity, the mother of all these achievements and guarantor of victory, in his address before the 14 th Congress of the POLISARIO Front held in the Wilaya of Dakhla, the refugee camps, from 16 to 20 December, 2015.
Following is the full Address by Mr Mohamed Abdelaziz, President of the SADR and Secretary-General of the Frente POLISARIO:
“14th Congress of the Frente POLISARIO, Congress of Martyr Khalil Sid Mhamed, Wilaya of Dakhla, 16 to 20 December 2015, Strength, Determination and Tenacity to enforce Independence and Sovereignty, Keynote Address by Mr Mohamed Abdelaziz, President of the SADR and Secretary-General of the Frente POLISARIO
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am very pleased to extend a warm welcome to all brothers, sisters, friends and guests of our people who have come from all parts of the world to be with us today in this historic event, Congress of Martyr Khalil Sid Mhamed, to convey to our people their support, sympathy and solidarity.
I pay tribute to the sisterly Algeria, under the leadership of His Excellency President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, whose unwavering position of support for the Sahrawi people has given the world the brightest examples of unflinching commitment to the principles of freedom and self-determination in line with international legality.
I salute the sisterly Mauritania that is represented today by an important and big delegation, which reflects the depth of the bonds of brotherhood, friendship neighbourliness and common future existing between our two peoples and countries.
I pay tribute to our comrades of the African liberation movements and all representatives of this great continent that has embraced the Sahrawi cause and our country as a founding member of the African Union.
I welcome the delegates coming from Spain. Their presence embodies an honourable position of commitment to the historic and close relations that bind them with the Sahrawi people and a categorical rejection of the infamous Madrid Accords and the shameful positions of the successive Spanish governments in relation to Spain’s responsibility in the decolonisation of Western Sahara. Friendly greetings to all delegations coming from Europe, Latin America, the United States of America, Australia, Asia and Arab countries.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Report submitted by the National Secretariat to the Congress presents a comprehensive overview and significant conclusions on the progress made during the period between the two congresses with regard to the organisational, political, defence, security, administrative, social, economic, cultural, media and international relations domains. It also covers the developments concerning the Sahrawi issue at the United Nations and in other crucial areas relating to human rights, the judicial and legal process, natural resources and the wall of occupation and landmines.
It does not only take stock of some of the deficiencies registered in the period under review but also identifies the major tasks to be undertaken in the future.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In addition to the general satisfaction about the efforts being made at the national level in respect of the management of public affairs, despite a severe global economic crisis, the on-going struggle of the Sahrawi people has made numerous achievements in the international arena.
The commemoration of major national events such as the anniversary of the founding of the Frente POLISARIO and the declaration of National Unity, the Working Committee set up by the National Secretariat or the reaction to the flood disaster reflected a high level of responsiveness, seriousness, readiness and mobilisation of our people to carry on the liberation struggle.
Of special note is the advanced position of the African Union and its persistent and steadfast commitment to decolonisation and the self-determination referendum as well as the presence of the Sahrawi cause, in all its aspects, at the European Union and in the United States of America. In this context, the decision of the European Supreme Court and the acceptance by the Swiss Federal Council of the declaration made by the Frente POLISARIO are very significant achievements. Their importance stems from establishing the Frente POLISARIO as the sole and legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people and as a legal and eligible entity for pleading its rights and issues in all available forums.
On 4 May 2013, the occupied territories saw the biggest mass demonstration against the Moroccan occupation since 1975 that embodied the categorical opposition of the Sahrawi people to the Moroccan occupation.
The United Nations has not yet assumed its responsibility regarding the decolonisation of Western Sahara nor fulfilled its commitment to the holding of the referendum, despite the statement made by the Secretary-General in November this year. The provocative visit made by the King of Morocco to the occupied city of La Aaiún and his thoughtless speech there, and the UN reaction to his foreign minister’s remarks all indicate that the Kingdom of Morocco is today in the dock and in an open confrontation with the international community, which should meet the challenge and urgently put an end to Morocco’s obstructionism and procrastination for the sake of peace, security and stability in the region.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The struggle of the Saharawi people, under the leadership of the Frente POLISARIO, has made a historic, quantum leap forward and has established the independent Sahrawi entity with its firm national belonging and distinct cultural identity in the region and in the world. The global national consensus that we have today among all Sahrawis around the Frente POLISARIO and its objectives is unprecedented. These successive generations carry the cause in their hearts; even though they may express it in different forms, their message is identical in its substance.
As the report points out says, the armed struggle is not just an act of disingenuous threatening or a holier-thanthou attitude. It is much more than that, because it is a sacred duty of all militants of the Frente POLISARIO and a right enshrined in the UN Charter and resolutions. It will continue until the departure of the brutal occupation.
Prospects are broad and promising, and we have to roll up our sleeves and reaffirm our determination to continue the struggle. The ultimate objective of the Sahrawi people is to restore the sovereignty of the Sahrawi State over the entire national territory. For this purpose, there are many priorities and tasks that lie ahead, and this Congress must be a springboard for the effective implementation of these goals. The priorities involve maintaining and fostering the gains made, the first of which is national unity, the mother of all achievements and guarantor of victory, our experience in building the human capacity before anything else, consolidating the foundations of the modern State with its executive, legislative and judicial institutions as well as its administrative, social, economic and diplomatic services, among others.
Steadfastness, as an act of resistance, continuous struggle and preparedness for all possibilities, entails strengthening the political organisation in terms of human resources and methods, upgrading the capabilities and readiness of the Sahrawi People’s Liberation Army for all possibilities, supporting the independence uprising, ensuring basic services such as education, training, health and administration, focusing on economic production and self-sufficiency, enhancing the programmes destined for young people, women and Sahrawi communities abroad, developing security services capable of meeting the present and future security challenges and risks, consolidating the judicial institution, invigorating control mechanisms, especially through elections and the National Council, and cementing management regimes of public affairs with robust procedures conducive to deterring all kinds of abuses.
In addition to consolidating the position of the Sahrawi State in the world, capitalising on the liberated territories, promoting culture, communication technology, the legal and judicial battle, human rights, natural resources, the wall of occupation and landmines represent areas of action that are of the utmost importance and influence.
We are in a position of strength, not only because law and justice is on our side but also because we have irrevocably come a long way; we have moved away from the starting point and come closer to the point of victory. It is a matter of time, patience and readiness. It is a matter of strength, determination and tenacity to enforce independence and sovereignty. I wish every success to our Congress.
Peace be upon you, and thank you!” (SPS)
062/090