Windhoek (Namibia), 2 November 2015 – President of Republic, Secretary General of the Polisario Front, Mohamed Abdelaziz, has applauded the decision of AU Heads of State during the recent Summit in Johannesburg that called on the UNGA to determine a date for the referendum of self-determination of Western Sahara.
In a message to the International Conference on Western Sahara Women’s Right for Resistance, held in Windhoek, Namibia, 2-4 November 2015, delivered by Mr. Mhamed Khadad, Member of the Polisario Front leadership, President Mohamed Abdelaziz called on the Africansto support the Sahrawi cause more than ever and to continue in its resolute efforts to rid the continent of the scars of colonialism and exploitation.
He lamented that for almost 25 years UN efforts to resolve the question of Western Sahara remain blocked due to Morocco’s growing intransigence and the UN Security Council’s abdication of its responsibilities, largely because of France’s deliberate obstruction tactics for the benefit of Morocco.
“The conflict cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely. The current UN framework is not working. A greater sense of urgency needs to be injected into the UN process. There is a growing frustration among the Sahrawi in Western Sahara and the refugee camps at the lack of progress towards a process of self-determination,” he said.
In regard to the situation in the Moroccan-occupied territory, he condemned the habitually violations of the basic human rights of the Sahrawi, pointing out that Moroccan security forces have created a climate of fear and suffering, disappearances, torture, intimidations, arrests, detainments, abuse in captivity, grotesque sentences, denial of fair trials are the order of the day, and women have been arrested over and over again—beaten and held in secret prisons.
He hailed the resistance of the Sahrawi women who are involved in every aspect of our struggle, in the refugee camps and liberated part of the Sahrawi Republic, women play a leading role, they stand not behind the Saharawi men, but side-by-side in our fight against occupation, and they protest the occupation of their country, chanting calls for freedom and independence.
Finally he expressed pain at the recent humanitarian crisis, brought about by torrential rainfall and flooding, destroyed and damaged the refugee in wilayas of Dajla, Smara, Auserd, Bojador and ElAaiun. The basics for our survival—food, water, sanitation—are lacking, and dispensaries, hospitals, schools, shops, and livestock sheds have been completely destroyed. As a result, the already-suffering Saharawi people now face even greater challenges, he added. (SPS)
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