Addis Ababa, Jan 4, 2014 (SPS) - The Permanent Representative of the Saharawi Republic (SADR) to the African Union (AU) Mr. Lamine Baali has highlighted that the 22nd African Union Summit, lately convened in Addis Ababa, was a "harsh blow" to the Moroccan thesis, adding that SADR presence within the AU "has further consolidated."
"Moroccan regime’s desperate attempts have failed due to the insistence by African leaders to continue supporting the legitimate struggle of the Saharawi people for freedom and independence," said Mr. Lamine Baali, in a statement to SPS.
The Saharawi diplomat added that the late African summit "has emphasized the AU’s responsibility to continue to implement its previous resolutions on the Saharawi cause, which call for enabling the Saharawi people of their right to self-determination and independence, through a free and transparent referendum."
He expressed satisfaction for putting the Saharawi cause in the heart of African Union priorities, a move that bothered the Moroccan regime, which desperately tried to influenece the AU’s activities and resolutions, especially at the level of the Permanent Representatives Committee.
In expressing concern over the continuity of the Western Sahara conflict, added Mr. Baali, the African Union heads of state and government send a strong message to Morocco.
The Saharawi Representative also indicated that the summit appealed to the UN Security Council to shoulder its "full responsibility" and take the necessary decisions to ensure that a progress and settlement been achieved in accordance with international legitimacy.
"The summit hailed the efforts made by the Chairperson of the Commission in the context of following up the application of the Executive Council’s previous decision, which requested her to continue efforts, in a vital pace, as to present a detailed report on the results of her consultations during the next summit," he underlined. (SPS)
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