Chahid Al Hafed (refugee camps), Jan 13, 2015 (SPS) - The right to self-determination of the Saharawi people was highly consolidated in 2014, a thing consecrated in the UN Security Council’s issuing of a report calling for a “just solution” to the conflict that ensures the principle of self-determination.
In this regard, SPS publishes an assessment of the second four months of 2014:
On the African arena, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on last May voiced support to the just cause of the Saharawi people, adding that Kenya’s stance on Western Sahara is consistent with international legitimacy and AU resolutions.
At the European level, Spanish United Left Party has called upon political formations in the country to support the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination, urging government to act in favour of a just, durable and mutually acceptable solution, which guarantees the free choice of the people of Western Sahara in accordance with UN dictates.
Last June, President of the Republic and General-Secretary of the Frente Polisario, Mr. Mohamed Abdelaziz, hailed the appointment by the African Union of Joaquim Chissano, former Mozambican President, as special envoy for Western Sahara.
He, in the same regard, called on heads of states and governments of the AU, gathering at the time in Equatorial Guinea, to do more efforts to put an end to the ongoing state of impasse, stressing the need to ensure “constant and independent” observation of human rights in the occupied territories of Western Sahara.
On other hand, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, asked Moroccan authorities to open a prompt investigation into the degrading practices carried out against Saharawi and Moroccan detainees.
For his part, President of the Mexican Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), Jesús Zambrano, stressed the need to show support to the Saharawi question and enable the Saharawi people of their right to self-determination and independence, in a meeting with the General-Secretary of Saharawi Women Union, Ms. Fatma Mehdi.
European Parliament approved a report about the conflict of Western Sahara, in which the MPs affirms the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination and asks Morocco to respect human rights of the Saharawis.
Concerning the diplomatic front, Tanzanian Foreign Minister said, during the 25th session of the AU Executive Council, that Africa cannot accept the continued occupation of Western Sahara, calling for completing the liberation of Africa.
In July 2014, Ms Laura BOLDRINI, President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, voiced support to the Saharawi people’s right to self-determination and independence.
In its 3rd congress, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela approved a motion of solidarity with the struggle of the Saharawi people for freedom and national independence, deploring the continued violations of human rights in the occupied territories of Western Sahara.
Former President of Uruguay, José Mujica, expressed his country’s support to the right of the Saharawi people to decide their destiny, in a meeting with a Saharawi delegation on a visit to Uruguay to take part at a gathering of the Uruguayan Progressive Alliance.
In the same month, Mr. Moses Masango, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation of the South African National Assembly, emphasized the need enable the Saharawi people of their right to self-determination.
In the last month of the second quarter of 2014, Mr. Pierre Galand, President of the European Coordination Committee of Solidarity with the Saharawi People, underscored the need to raise the scope of solidarity networks to include countries and governments in the aim to oppose oppression and occupation of Western Sahara by Morocco.
With regard to the diplomatic action, Venezuela’s Foreign Affairs reiterated his country’s position of support to the just struggle of the Saharawi people for freedom and independence.
The conference of AU parliaments renewed the call for cooperation with the UN to bring about a settlement to the conflict of Western Sahara, expressing support to the African envoy for Western Sahara, Joaquim Chissano. (SPS)
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