Johannesburg, June 19, 2015 (SPS) - The 25th Summit of Heads of State of the African Union, held in Johannesburg, has adopted the decision presented in the report of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) on Western Sahara.
Below is the text of the decision:
“ASSEMBLY OF THE UNION
Twenty-Fifth Ordinary Session
14 – 15 June 2015
Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA
DRAFT DECISION ON THE REPORT OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL ON ITS ACTIVITIES AND THE STATE OF PEACE AND SECURITY IN AFRICA
ASSEMBLY/AU/7 (XXV)
The Assembly,
(…..)
Notes with deep concern the continued impasse in the search for a solution to the conflict in Western Sahara and underlinesthe urgent need for renewed international efforts to facilitate an early resolution of the conflict.
In this respect, the Assembly, recalling the advisory opinion given by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 16 October 1975,calls on the UN General Assembly to determine a date for the holding of the self-determination referendum for the people of Western Sahara and protect the integrity of the Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory from any act which may undermine it.
The Assembly recalls the PSC communiqué of 27 March 2015 and, in this context, renews its full support to the AU Special Envoy for Western Sahara, former President Joaquim Chissano.
The Assembly urges the Security Council to fully assume its responsibilities, as well as effectively address the issues of the respect of human rights and the illegal exploitation of the Territory’s natural resources.
The Assembly encourages the Chairperson of the Commission to pursue her efforts, based on international legality, and calls onMember States to avail the necessary capacity-building support to the people of Western Sahara;” (SPS)
062/090