Bir lehlou (liberated territories), July 29, 2012 (SPS) - The Saharawi Government has expressed regret for the decision taken by Spanish Government to repatriate Spanish cooperators working in the humanitarian aid in the Saharawi refugee camps, according to a written statement by the Saharawi Minister of Foreign Affairs, reached Saturday SPS.
“The government of the Sahrawi Republic (...) regrets on this decision (repatriation), which will undoubtedly have negative effects on the situation of the Sahrawi refugees who are waiting for a referendum on self-determination, the democratic solution of the Sahrawi-Moroccan conflict,” said Mr. Mohamed Salem Ould Salek, Foreign Minister of the Saharawi Republic.
The Spanish government decided Friday, 27 July 2012, the repatriation of the Spanish aid workers from the Saharawi refugee camps, due to what it considered as possible acts of terrorist groups operating in northern Mali.
The Saharawi government, which condemns terrorism - underlined the communiqué - believes “it is a global phenomenon that must be fought with the coordination and maintenance of international cooperation.”
Mr. Ould Salek said in this regard that since the terrorist criminal act on October 22, 2011 against European humanitarian aid workers in the Saharawi refugee camps by a terrorist group coming from northern Mali, the Saharawi authorities “have gradually introduced the necessary measures to protect guests of the Saharawi people.”
“Saharawi Government hoped the prompt return of the Spanish cooperators to continue their noble mission of assistance to tens of thousands of the Sahrawi refugees, victims of the military occupation of their territory by the Kingdom of Morocco since 31 October 1975,” concluded the Minister. (SPS)
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