Smara (refugee camps)-Speaker of the Sahrawi Parliament Khatri Addouh stressed Sunday "the recognition of the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination contributes to strengthening peace, security, coexistence and integration in the region."
"The recognition of the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination will lay the foundations of peace, security, coexistence and integration in the region," said Addouh in a meeting with a US Congressional delegation led by James Inhofe to the Sahrawi refugee camps in Smara.
"Despite the situation the region faces currently, we managed to protect our people from the friction that may lead to security blunders," affirmed Addouh.
"Although a part of our territory remains occupied and a large number of our fellow citizens are victims of repression, torture, arbitrary arrests and the difficult conditions we live in both in the liberated territories or in the refugee camps, we managed to build solid institutions for the future generations and engage in a strategic vision based on political democracy and separation of powers," said the Sahrawi official.
Besides, Addouh hailed James Inhofe's constant support to the Sahrawi cause and the interest shown by members of the US Congressional delegation in the situation of the Sahrawi people.
Speaking on this occasion, Inhofe reaffirmed "his constant position" and continued support to the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.
It’s necessary that the U.S. work to end the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara, he said.
This visit is intended to "reaffirm our position which had not changed, that we will continue to stand by you and our support will be more sustained," Senator James Inhofe said to the local population and authorities of Smara.
He also said the visit aims "to verify the hardships and the difficulties experienced by the Sahrawi people" under the Moroccan occupation.
The US congressional delegation composed of four members, including the chairman of Tom Lantos Committee for Human Rights, accompanied by US ambassador to Algiers Joan Polaschik, arrived Sunday afternoon in the Sahrawi refugee camps of Smara. (SPS)
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