tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53906006490232517582024-03-13T17:09:20.910+02:00Embassy of the Saharawi Republic in ZimbabweAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comBlogger334125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-59823913797592437892015-08-25T17:34:00.002+02:002015-08-25T17:34:48.697+02:00Zimbabwe reaffirms firm support to legitimate Saharawi struggle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8LVBGEUVadkdMq30-XZVJB7HvdQQMzGJxknn8WDChfLUbucdVa3wphr67e7USUwfAiANB06cuAhb5tJs1IRibUqPm0PUeqNneTxe0i6oK-rdbPog17Xq_gypIoDxWJJwaHO-edEHHVck/s1600/daich+-+2015+-+08+-+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8LVBGEUVadkdMq30-XZVJB7HvdQQMzGJxknn8WDChfLUbucdVa3wphr67e7USUwfAiANB06cuAhb5tJs1IRibUqPm0PUeqNneTxe0i6oK-rdbPog17Xq_gypIoDxWJJwaHO-edEHHVck/s320/daich+-+2015+-+08+-+25.jpg" width="180" /></a><strong>Harare</strong>, August 25, 2015 (SPS) - Zimbabwe Foreign
Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi on Tuesday reaffirmed his
country’s firm support to the legitimate struggle of the Saharawi people
for freedom and independence, said a statement of the Saharawi embassy
in Harare.<br />
In a meeting with Saharawi Ambassador Deich Mohamed Saleh, the
minister indicated that Zimbabwe is clear that Moroccan occupation of
Western Sahara is illegal and contradicts the resolutions of the United
Nations (UN) and African Union (AU).<br />
“A solution to Western Sahara issue must go through enabling the
Saharawi people to exercise their right to self-determination via a
free, fair and transparent referendum,” stated head of Zimbabwe
diplomacy.<br />
Mr. Mumbengegwi called on the international community to expedite
the search for a solution guaranteeing the right of the Saharawi people
to self-determination and independence.<br />
Saharawi ambassador, for his part, praised Zimbabwe’s unbroken
support to the struggle of Saharawi people to liberate their national
territory, highlighting Morocco’s repeated human rights violations
against innocent Saharawis.<br />
The meeting also examined the role can be played by the African Union in finding a settlement to Western Sahara issue. (SPS)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-16895208798307142542015-08-25T17:32:00.001+02:002015-08-25T17:32:44.880+02:00President of Senate of Zimbabwe confirms support for struggle of Saharawi people<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4-GGOYXlSts2KENSlDO22MRByVqXQPqMCbvmcNb2k0T-dZyV6jr4r-kU8fynrLX0Igw8cepIevBJoHrCiLLTMBh7gt1fiK05S27ETGHtKGSywY3YZtP8C19bcxisUAwo2WIQLOOWcZ6D/s1600/deich+24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4-GGOYXlSts2KENSlDO22MRByVqXQPqMCbvmcNb2k0T-dZyV6jr4r-kU8fynrLX0Igw8cepIevBJoHrCiLLTMBh7gt1fiK05S27ETGHtKGSywY3YZtP8C19bcxisUAwo2WIQLOOWcZ6D/s320/deich+24.jpg" width="179" /></a><strong>Harare </strong>(Zimbabwe) August 24 2015 (SPS) - President of
the Senate of Zimbabwe Mrs. Edna Madzongwe reiterated Monday her
country’s firm position in favour of the just struggle of the Saharawi
people for freedom and independence.<br />
<br />
Mrs. Madzongwe stressed, during a meeting with the Saharawi Ambassador,
Mr. Daish Mohammed Saleh, that "the continuous support of the Republic
of Zimbabwe to the just struggle of the Saharawi people stems from the
principles of the anti-colonization of peoples and standing up for right
and justice, and we will always be to their side until the complete
liberation of their land and the expulsion of the Moroccan occupation."<br />
<br />
In this context, she emphasized the African role to push for a quick settlement of the Sahrawi issue.<br />
<br />
For his part, the Sahrawi Ambassador made a presentation on the
developments related the issue of Western Sahara, the Moroccan
intransigence aimed to blow up the international efforts to organize a
referendum on the future of the Saharawi people, and the Moroccan grave
violations of human rights against the Sahrawi citizens in the occupied
Saharawi territories. (SPS)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-45356048888397455362015-08-21T19:21:00.002+02:002015-08-21T19:21:53.013+02:00Algerian Journalists Committee for breaking siege on Saharawi struggle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0t3bShj7K8-lN0RIXGrqr4CzlEKmvW_nY4MLHDtIBjMw6Q5SE3LrjkRmCaqrnObXgW2napZ2fPJ0uNZXNA0QbvGmUwgyV8RJrZ-ilcJjYXBcaROZxmBUKdWmD4smFwbTHDqWIv0mON32/s1600/di+2015_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0t3bShj7K8-lN0RIXGrqr4CzlEKmvW_nY4MLHDtIBjMw6Q5SE3LrjkRmCaqrnObXgW2napZ2fPJ0uNZXNA0QbvGmUwgyV8RJrZ-ilcJjYXBcaROZxmBUKdWmD4smFwbTHDqWIv0mON32/s1600/di+2015_0.jpg" /></a><strong>Algiers</strong>, August 20, 2015 (SPS) - Algerian
Journalists Committee in solidarity with Takbar Haddi has invited
journalists across the world to act so to break the silence and siege
imposed on the struggle of Saharawi people, in a petition addressed to
the United Nations.<br />
In a press conference held in the Saharawi media center in Algiers
on Thursday, the Committee called for action to ensure the respect for
international legitimacy in Western Sahara and the right of the Saharawi
people to freedom and independence.<br />
They also expressed absolute solidarity with the legitimate struggle of the Saharawi people to regain freedom and dignity.<br />
Copies of the petition will also be delivered to the European Union
(EU), Arab League, African Union (AU) and the Community of Latin
American and Caribbean States.<br />
The petition have so far signed by intellectuals, journalists and
jurists from Algeria, Spain, United States of America, Belgium, the
United Kingdom, Portugal, among other countries. (SPS)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-63835398489031492452015-08-21T19:19:00.002+02:002015-08-21T19:19:53.238+02:00AFAPREDESA urges Moroccan state to unveil fate of missing Saharawi persons<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzm-exZAB90aqtBcW7dP4sm-dEUUYDp0VeZVGnOf369d5RQy7qw4vZ3zlQHotnDSJzajQUWJXizqCDxYRmrshMkLzW6zVbgl-w9xlatIZGBGxhbXtMGQ17Vr6nmEweqLBNiD2Y_Kn50K3/s1600/afabradesa+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzm-exZAB90aqtBcW7dP4sm-dEUUYDp0VeZVGnOf369d5RQy7qw4vZ3zlQHotnDSJzajQUWJXizqCDxYRmrshMkLzW6zVbgl-w9xlatIZGBGxhbXtMGQ17Vr6nmEweqLBNiD2Y_Kn50K3/s1600/afabradesa+2015.jpg" /></a><strong>Chahid Al Hafed</strong> (refugee camps), August 20, 2015
(SPS) - The Association of Families of Saharawi Prisoners and
Disappeared (AFAPREDESA) on Thursday called on the Moroccan state to
unveil the whereabouts of the Saharawi missing persons and release
immediately all the Saharawi political prisoners incarcerated in
Moroccan jails.<br />
In a statement on the occasion of its 26th anniversary, the
Association expressed deep concern over lack of respect from the part of
Moroccan regime to international legitimacy, calling for enabling the
Saharawi people to enjoy their inalienable right to freedom and
self-determination.<br />
It also demanded that a UN mechanism to monitor human rights in
Western Sahara be established, asking Moroccan state to comply with the
principles of human rights.<br />
AFAPREDESA denounced the repressive policy pursued by Moroccan
regime against peaceful protests held by Saharawi civilians in the
occupied territory of Western Sahara to call for their legitimate
demands.<br />
It, moreover, urged the international community to exert pressure on
the Moroccan state and the companies involved in the systematic plunder
of Saharawi natural resources to stop their activities. (SPS</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-19594313908564621762015-08-21T19:17:00.003+02:002015-08-21T19:17:54.042+02:00UN chief calls for an early settlement to Western Sahara conflict<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgaAvV1DohfTF0ebG71k_N8MkzUMFo9Dj56sS2y85drVWcnFzNpyB5sM54c1ay7KJFAPr7W0LcxNoHi-84w6QReez-BSL_0Y9JlyklVVTC3J79vvEvtEq2GLXe0Zij9BAUO7aksC_FYN_/s1600/7413078-11420189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgaAvV1DohfTF0ebG71k_N8MkzUMFo9Dj56sS2y85drVWcnFzNpyB5sM54c1ay7KJFAPr7W0LcxNoHi-84w6QReez-BSL_0Y9JlyklVVTC3J79vvEvtEq2GLXe0Zij9BAUO7aksC_FYN_/s1600/7413078-11420189.jpg" /></a><strong>New York</strong>, August 20, 2015 (SPS) -The United Nations
Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, has called for an early settlement to
the question of Western Sahara given the volatility in the region, the
proximity of extremist and terrorist groups, increasing frustration of
the young people and of tens of thousands of refugees losing faith in
the political solution.<br />
The remarks are part of the report submitted to the UN General
Assembly, scheduled to open on 15 September 2015, by UN chief Ban
Ki-moon concerning the development on the question of Western Sahara
from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015.<br />
Following the most important conclusions concerning the Saharawi issue:<br />
1- The Fourth Committee of the General Assembly (Special Political
and Decolonization Committee) and the Special Committee on the Situation
with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of
Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples address Western Sahara
as a Non-Self-Governing Territory and an issue of decolonization.<br />
2- Describing factually the stalling and obstruction of Morocco to
the deployment of SRSG Bolduc and to re-engaging PESG Ross, including
the assurances given by the SG to Morocco over the phone. It is also
good to see the view of the POLISARIO on the lack of progress in the
negotiating process and the unequal treatment by the UN, including not
being consulted by the SG’s office before his giving the assurances to
Morocco.<br />
3- Describing factually the decision of the POLISARIO to implement
passport stamping in the east of the Berm by replicating the Moroccan
practice in the West of the Berm. The issue is reported in a manner that
shows that Morocco has been in contravention of the UN peacekeeping
practices for a long time.<br />
4- It is good to see that there is mention of the SG scheduling a
visit to the region later in 2015, including the SG’s preference that
the Parties should return to the table before his visit. This is the
first official mention to Member States that the SG plans on visiting
the region and it is the first time we see reference to a timeline
(later in 2015). This is a positive signal indeed!<br />
5- It is good to read that PESG Ross is seeking to give new impetus
to the negotiating process, that he is calling on both parties to show
flexibility (and move away from long held positions) if progress is to
be made. This of course is nothing new but it is written in a way that
shows that he is planning to move things forward in the next months.<br />
6- And finally, the report lays out the rationale for why the
conflict must be resolved as early as possible, including the volatility
in the region, the proximity of extremist and terrorist groups,
increasing frustration of the young people and of tens of thousands of
refugees losing faith in the political solution that is going nowhere.
(SPS)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-61003008037401686372015-08-21T19:15:00.004+02:002015-08-21T19:15:57.996+02:00Saharawi activist tortured by Moroccan police at Casablanca airport<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TR0khS4k5w7_Zzmbats6WvjIN2aygW2jmL5bMdAkd-xD7-zIweOyTHldcZjPUx69tkYu3yA2d7iPl7u_tDW06WaN260QXhtsOLEqJWVuUBZYJWPG38D4zE0nEFU69-bgAdQ_Hj4h4YOK/s1600/20-08-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TR0khS4k5w7_Zzmbats6WvjIN2aygW2jmL5bMdAkd-xD7-zIweOyTHldcZjPUx69tkYu3yA2d7iPl7u_tDW06WaN260QXhtsOLEqJWVuUBZYJWPG38D4zE0nEFU69-bgAdQ_Hj4h4YOK/s1600/20-08-2015.jpg" /></a><strong>Casablanca</strong>, August 20, 2015 (SPS) - Moroccan police
forces on Tuesday severely tortured the Sahrawi activist, Leila Lili, at
Casablanca airport on her return from Algiers, where she took part in
the 6th edition of the Summer University of Polisario Front and SADR
cadres, said a source from the Ministry of Occupied Territories and
Communities Abroad.<br />
Moroccan police officers subjected the activist Leila Lili to inspection and degrading harassment of human dignity.<br />
Leila was part of a 50-member delegation of human rights activists
coming from the occupied territories of Western Sahara. (SPS)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-36403029100635918042015-08-21T19:14:00.001+02:002015-08-21T19:14:29.562+02:00Zimbabwe National Assembly Speaker affirms unbroken support to Saharawi cause<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HONsHirsR2eulIHz41GdL1LMjdYTIIoRXx1MM554T2705auNfNpLW3KcPueMduia9v1HYinPIiHU6MMQTobRLlK2Dd4LLkkSGufeM1s5NzJ9WXqyuFfqIaoPgVvSrW-ZJfVbWgZycBDf/s1600/20150-0saila.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HONsHirsR2eulIHz41GdL1LMjdYTIIoRXx1MM554T2705auNfNpLW3KcPueMduia9v1HYinPIiHU6MMQTobRLlK2Dd4LLkkSGufeM1s5NzJ9WXqyuFfqIaoPgVvSrW-ZJfVbWgZycBDf/s1600/20150-0saila.jpg" /></a><strong>Harare</strong>, August 20, 2015 (SPS) - Speaker of the
National Assembly of Zimbabwe, Mr. Jacob Mudenda, has renewed his
country’s endless support to the legitimate struggle of the Saharawi
people for freedom and independence, in a meeting with Saharawi
ambassador Deich Mohamed Saleh.<br />
Mr. Jacob reaffirmed the principled position to Saharawi cause has
long shown by the Republic of Zimbabwe in the international forums.<br />
“Africa is seized with the continued suffering of the Saharawi
people due to the illegal occupation of their country by Moroccan
Kingdom,” said the Zimbabwean official, adding that AU member states
agree on the on need to decolonize the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic
through a referendum on self-determination for the Saharawi people.<br />
Saharawi ambassador, for his part, expressed surprise for
international community’s silence before the gross violations of human
rights and continued looting of Western Sahara natural resources carried
out by Moroccan authorities.<br />
The two sides examined the current situation in Western Sahara in
the light of AU’s strong engagement in the action for ending the state
of occupation in Africa’s last colony.<br />
They also studied ways to strengthen the bilateral relations happily exist between the two legislative institutions. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-70880144325135962382015-08-17T09:57:00.001+02:002015-08-17T09:57:42.880+02:00President of Republic inaugurates National Preparatory Committee of 14th Conference of Polisario Front<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75m4Yo6OwctWb82m9j1V15PKvhCR3olfVjKldSXEjSNpXmBA3ifpIW5VZ7_g08AwPZd_bW4Ux95DW74SK4I-Dx9f1PAKx3jLv3DRuNFMr6GrdCY2XLq3-tUOEiuA5MamDPvUNTg4BZSPR/s1600/salem_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75m4Yo6OwctWb82m9j1V15PKvhCR3olfVjKldSXEjSNpXmBA3ifpIW5VZ7_g08AwPZd_bW4Ux95DW74SK4I-Dx9f1PAKx3jLv3DRuNFMr6GrdCY2XLq3-tUOEiuA5MamDPvUNTg4BZSPR/s1600/salem_2.JPG" /></a><b>June 9th School</b>, August 16, 2015 (SPS) - The President
of the Republic, Secretary-General of the Polisario Front, Mohamed
Abdelaziz, inaugurated Sunday at the headquarters of the National
Council in June 9th School the National Preparatory Committee of the
14th Conference of the Polisario Front.<br />
<br />
The inauguration ceremony was attended by members of the National
Secretariat of the Polisario Front, the SADR government and the National
Council as well as the representatives of the various national bodies
and institutions.<br />
<br />
The National Preparatory Committee comprises 84 members of the National
Secretariat and the government and executives of the various sectors of
the state and movement, headed by Member of the National Secretariat,
Speaker of the National Council, Mr. Khatri Aduh.<br />
<br />
The National Secretariat of the Polisario Front had announced, during
its 12th ordinary session held on 12 and 13 August, the creation of the
National Preparatory Committee of the 14th Conference of the Polisario
Front scheduled at the end of the current year. (SPS)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-71066027783838429682015-08-17T09:54:00.000+02:002015-08-17T09:54:10.233+02:00National Secretariat of Polisario Front calls on UN Security Council to end current stalemate<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5jKD8285IPgm-BTvM9vC_Ij30RbevRS14u-T4zqm52r48MMHFXxZibqICBDxC77p7fquOrKsq5kAFXt3enfeNO_ADK-SpQY9TgtKlkJ0sVyweqjQAN7gqk6ue0gRArZurDEBsymtNVtD/s1600/SN_0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5jKD8285IPgm-BTvM9vC_Ij30RbevRS14u-T4zqm52r48MMHFXxZibqICBDxC77p7fquOrKsq5kAFXt3enfeNO_ADK-SpQY9TgtKlkJ0sVyweqjQAN7gqk6ue0gRArZurDEBsymtNVtD/s1600/SN_0.JPG" /></a><strong>Shaheed el Hafed </strong>(Refugee Camp)- The National Secretariat reiterated, in a statement following its second
regular session held August 12-13, under the chairmanship of Mr.
Mohamed Abdelaziz, President of the Republic, Secretary General of the
Polisario Front, the willingness of the Polisario Front to cooperate
with the efforts of the United Nations.<br />
<br />
This cooperation is based on the 1991 settlement plan of the United
Nations and the African Union, which requires from MINURSO (UN Mission
for the Referendum in Western Sahara) independence, freedom of movement,
contact with the population of the occupied territories, and treatment
of the parties to the conflict equally, especially moving on with its
field arrangements for its main mission, namely the organization of the
self-determination referendum for the Saharawi people.<br />
<br />
The statement stressed the responsibility of the international community
to work firmly to put an end to the repressive practices of Morocco,
creation of a UN mechanism for the protection and monitoring of human
rights in Western Sahara, demanding the release of Gdeim Izik detainees,
victims of the Moroccan military court, as wellas all Sahrawi political
prisoners, and reveal of the whereabouts of more than 651 missing
Sahrawis since the Moroccan military invasion of Western Sahara in
October 31, 1975.<br />
<br />
The statement renewed the call put an end to the blockade and the
suffocating restrictions imposed on the occupied territories, open them
to independent international observers, dismantle the Moroccan military
wall and stop the ongoing operations of looting the Sahrawi natural
resources. <br />
The National Secretariat of the Polisario Front has called on the UN
Security Council to put an end the current stalemate, carry on the
settlement process and set a date for the holding of the
self-determination referendum of the Saharawi people.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-88114122450203456362015-08-07T20:11:00.001+02:002015-08-07T20:11:17.175+02:00Saharawi ambassador leads ambassadorial delegation to Nigerian president<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8nhSPDir6eK97hyQpJm3TCSSRcq9p7Mg8Yge3ER_cEsmAU-86ydz4XTiAxtXWOKItK60YxoKoXrpSCTrLm5KBHzyqCx-wh1JRvXkP8893149Sj3JjnyOaKHMM6sHZfpaqoIrZmBQnhqC/s1600/courtesy+visit+buhari+2_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8nhSPDir6eK97hyQpJm3TCSSRcq9p7Mg8Yge3ER_cEsmAU-86ydz4XTiAxtXWOKItK60YxoKoXrpSCTrLm5KBHzyqCx-wh1JRvXkP8893149Sj3JjnyOaKHMM6sHZfpaqoIrZmBQnhqC/s1600/courtesy+visit+buhari+2_0.jpg" /></a><strong>Abuja</strong>, August 7, 2015 (SPS) - Ambassador in Nigeria
and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Abuja, Mr. Ubbi Bachraya
Bachir, on Thursday led a delegation of African ambassadors in a
courtesy visit to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Mr.
Muhammadu Buhari, following the successful democratic elections took
place in the country.<br />
Speaking on behalf of the 10 ambassadors representing the 5
geographic parts of the continent, felicitated the Nigerian president
for the democratic and impartial elections took place in the country,
underlying that electing President Buhari constitutes big turning point
not only in Nigeria or the region, but also in the entire African
continent.<br />
The Saharawi diplomat hailed the encouraging results attained in the
first months of President Buhari’s mandate, especially in terms of the
fight against terrorism and the plans set forth to enhance good
governance and national economy.<br />
Mr. Ubbi conveyed, in the name of African ambassadors accredited to
Abuja, to President of Nigeria “strong condemnation” of the criminal
acts carried out by Boko Haram, expressing support to the people and
government of Nigeria in their fight against extremism and terrorism.<br />
He also felicitated Nigeria for the successive victories achieved
thanks to the elaborate scheme adopted by President Buhari in mobilizing
the efforts of neighboring countries to decisively combat terrorism.<br />
Nigerian President, for his part, praised the positions of support
and solidarity expressed by the entire peoples of Africa, renewing his
government’s resolute to put into reality his electoral promise in
fighting terrorism, reinforcing the rule of law and good governance, and
accelerating the pace of balanced economic growth. (SPS)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-46671546041197365082015-08-07T20:07:00.002+02:002015-08-07T20:07:19.995+02:00Saharawi ambassador holds talks with Zimbabwean officials<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLktdR4kkN2F3Oyjzy-gUty4lXfczlvklpKyTyOy4oriNgcR_V41QKjgjKIz0GdzS6DHfQYYhhM1GqoxXP6CGVZOSAK7ENChRK_IOEIb6tbU4CT61Fhe7c8kwdsTRbrZYuXz1YxZm5RCz/s1600/ze%252C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLktdR4kkN2F3Oyjzy-gUty4lXfczlvklpKyTyOy4oriNgcR_V41QKjgjKIz0GdzS6DHfQYYhhM1GqoxXP6CGVZOSAK7ENChRK_IOEIb6tbU4CT61Fhe7c8kwdsTRbrZYuXz1YxZm5RCz/s1600/ze%252C.jpg" /></a><strong>Harare</strong>, August 7, 2015 (SPS) - Ambassador in
Zimbabwe Mr. Deich Mohamed Saleh on Thursday met with the spokesperson
of Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the minister of
Economic Planning and Investment Promotion, Mr. Simon Khaya, at his
office in the government complex in Harare.<br />
the two sides examined the best ways to strengthen the relations
already binding the African National Union-Patriotic Front and the
Frente Polisario.<br />
The Zimbabwean official expressed his country's firm position of
support to the just struggle of the Saharawi people for freedom and
independence.<br />
He went on saying that ignoring the international community by
Moroccan government will increase the suffering of the people of the
Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic.<br />
He also called upon African states to unite efforts so to reaching a
prompt end to the occupation of Africa's last colony, by enabling the
Saharawi people to exercise their right to freedom and independence.<br />
The Saharawi diplomat, on other hand, met the Vice-Chancellor of the
University of Zimbabwe, Professor Levi Martin Nyagura, who expressed
readiness to host Saharawi students and staf</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-64538232708225266722015-07-27T07:49:00.001+02:002015-07-27T07:49:22.477+02:00Morocco has coerced, bribed, co-opted the international community to prevent scrutiny on its treatment of people in Western Sahara (Kerry Kennedy)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFfdFR2tqxHhz0bP4sMen4PkQ4x6BBfg4ofcXMKJwJ6JZUObCFHMWvURmwQtZZZWscazf97f1F7XcpNXi8LcyFGThHTFYgDxJbEPP7B-esWCbGmIlGyY12Bu2kEbPHgzb0-D__cRHkVeE/s1600/Kennedy+RFK.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFfdFR2tqxHhz0bP4sMen4PkQ4x6BBfg4ofcXMKJwJ6JZUObCFHMWvURmwQtZZZWscazf97f1F7XcpNXi8LcyFGThHTFYgDxJbEPP7B-esWCbGmIlGyY12Bu2kEbPHgzb0-D__cRHkVeE/s1600/Kennedy+RFK.jpeg" /></a><strong>London, </strong> Morocco has coerced,
bribed, co-opted the international community to prevent scrutiny on its
treatment of people in Western Sahara, Ms Kerry Kennedy said in an <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/jul/23/kerry-kennedy-morocco-international-community-western-sahara">article posted Thursday in The Guardian</a>.<br />
<br />
Ms Kennedy wrote that “a recent article that appeared in this paper
meticulously laid out, through analysis of leaked Moroccan diplomatic
cables, the many ways Morocco has coerced, bribed, and co-opted the
international community to prevent any scrutiny on its treatment of
people in Western Sahara”. A reference to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/jun/17/leaked-cables-morocco-united-nations-western-sahara-house-of-cards">an article posted by Tha Guardian on Juny 17, 2015</a> under the title of “Leaked cables: Morocco lobbied UN to turn blind eye to Western Sahara in 'House of Cards' operation”.<br />
<br />
In this post, the London daily spoke about a UN report that “accuses
Moroccan government of intercepting communications and using ‘unethical
tactics’ to influence organisation on occupied territory” of Western
Sahara.<br />
<br />
In order to maintain the status quo, “Morocco has consistently pressured
UN to ignore crisis in WesternSahara”, Ms Kennedy said, adding that
“Morocco has intensely lobbied the UN security council to block any
attempt to include a human rights component to Minurso”, in order to use
violent force against Western Sahara population like in the case of
Mohamed Lamine Haidala, a young murdered by moroccans last February in
El Aaiun.<br />
<br />
According to Ms Kennedy, "stories like Haidala’s are all too common in
WesternSahara, where there are large-scale human rights violations on a
daily basis". “Part of the reason for this complete impunity is that
there is no credible third party on the ground doing anything about the
human rights abuses taking place there on a regular basis” she added.<br />
<br />
Ms Kennedy expressed her desire to see UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
to “put the issue of Morocco’s abuses in the territory front and centre”
during his visit to the region later this year.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-7175193215707937122015-07-27T07:43:00.001+02:002015-07-27T07:43:06.375+02:00Sahrawi Students Union delegation takes part in Mediterranean Students Forum<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAaCPKtRJhdkvJM3x6QSQaBm9zOgOA64t9k0k6xdOU2E2GxCG0oWS-PgM8HfciIh6mvSaD8cNp9pxkSEZAznUGjLpp80dfhy9mJWlYgzOekPIqOD1Otk0SCxBMuOUJjn09fAEhqTvi7GC/s1600/chabiba-mediterrano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAaCPKtRJhdkvJM3x6QSQaBm9zOgOA64t9k0k6xdOU2E2GxCG0oWS-PgM8HfciIh6mvSaD8cNp9pxkSEZAznUGjLpp80dfhy9mJWlYgzOekPIqOD1Otk0SCxBMuOUJjn09fAEhqTvi7GC/s1600/chabiba-mediterrano.jpg" /></a><strong>Gallipoli </strong>(Italy), July 26, 2015 (SPS) - A delegation
of Sahrawi Students Union (UESARIO) took part Saturday in the works of
the second edition of the Mediterranean students Forum, which will
continue until July 30, in the Italian town of Gallipoli under the theme
"let’s give chance to peace," at the invitation of Italian Students
Federation. <br />
The Sahrawi delegation, composed of International Secretary Khalihena
Mohamed and Iza Ibrahimsalem in charge of culture and sports, is
attending the forum alongside about 400 participants from Italy in
addition to delegations representing the Mediterranean countries.<br />
<br />
In speech on the occasion, the Saharawi delegation reminded the
Mediterranean students and their governments that the Saharawi people
has waited too long to be allowed to exercise their right to
self-determination and independence, and that pressure must be put on
the Moroccan occupation in order to comply with the international
legitimacy and resolutions of the United Nations and permit the Sahrawi
people to decide their own future in free and democratic way.<br />
<br />
The Forum will be marked by organizing workshops on peace and democracy,
and a special workshop on Western Sahara is scheduled activated by
Sahrawi Students Union delegation to introduce the Sahrawi question to
the participants, as well as screening of film "La Güera - my forgotten
land" by an Italian director. (SPS)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-47450407752655123532015-07-27T07:40:00.001+02:002015-07-27T07:41:11.843+02:00AU reiterates support for just struggle of Saharawi people<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18u947dlTCLtDaVIU_n2Tr1J-4pFcxSEucXxuKihF4gU49jC9hLgzdlOs9FWOjP5GRB4upNuIQeH0xu5-w9kbt6T94h1wWew0CvjjKE9ZVhuoVCOLumz4F5d7L8Kxuz47QEtFT8vD8zu1/s1600/DSC_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18u947dlTCLtDaVIU_n2Tr1J-4pFcxSEucXxuKihF4gU49jC9hLgzdlOs9FWOjP5GRB4upNuIQeH0xu5-w9kbt6T94h1wWew0CvjjKE9ZVhuoVCOLumz4F5d7L8Kxuz47QEtFT8vD8zu1/s1600/DSC_0298.JPG" /></a><b>Boumerdes</b>, July 26, 2015 (SPS) - The new Ambassador of
Zimbabwe to Algeria and the Saharawi Republic, Mr. Edwin J. Mendaza,
which his country holds the rotating presidency of the African Union,
reiterated Saturday the support of his country for the just struggle of
the Saharawi people for liberation and independence during his address
to the sixth edition of the summer university of Sahrawi executives.<br />
<br />
"On behalf of the African diplomatic corps accredited in Algeria, we
wish to reiterate the support for the legitimate struggle of the
Saharawi people for self-determination and independence," said the
ambassador of Zimbabwe.<br />
<br />
"The African Union has been alongside the Saharawi people since the
early hours, and will remain by its side until the recovery of its
liberation and independence, so the decolonization of Africa is
incomplete as Western Sahara, the last mainland colony, is under
occupation, "he added. (SPS)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-71539036568978370872015-07-27T07:37:00.001+02:002015-07-27T07:37:56.390+02:00Inter-Maghreb peace, security and cooperation jeopardized by Morocco’s destructive policy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TBFJyD_Uwr3_ex2xBeBmkMpFvfD_dqIZxrkepOW4lFHMSd5HxTtI6K6vz9QrU561aAP4t9a4QHR4VTNrtduRY8Mm06Mica5dGPzP6jJn5v6wMrnPyd4G-47kG8m33JcLGyb-Z3AP89HA/s1600/uni+fr_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TBFJyD_Uwr3_ex2xBeBmkMpFvfD_dqIZxrkepOW4lFHMSd5HxTtI6K6vz9QrU561aAP4t9a4QHR4VTNrtduRY8Mm06Mica5dGPzP6jJn5v6wMrnPyd4G-47kG8m33JcLGyb-Z3AP89HA/s1600/uni+fr_0.jpg" /></a><strong>Boumerdes</strong>, 26 July 2015 (SPS) - Sahrawi Prime Minister
Abdelkader Taleb Omar underlined Saturday, in Boumerdes, that peace,
security and cooperation between the Maghreb countries are jeopardized
by Morocco’s destructive policy.<br />
<br />
Speaking at the opening of the summer university of the executives of
the Polisario Front and SDAR (Sahrawi Democratic Arab Republic), which
is taking place in Boumerdes from 25 July to 12 August, Mr. Abdelkader
Taleb Omar said that Morocco must give up its destructive policy which
compromises the peace, security and cooperation between the Maghreb
countries,” in order to allow everyone to continue the building and
development process and to face common threats.”<br />
<br />
He said that Morocco which has militarily lost the battle and failed to
repress the struggle of the Sahrawi people, tries to hit the security
and stability of the Maghreb region by targeting its people through drug
trafficking, support to terrorist groups and organized crime.”<br />
<br />
The Sahrawi official said that “the Moroccan regime continues its
repression and intimidation policy against the Sahrawi citizens in the
occupied territories.” (SPS)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-74179104433292414822015-07-27T07:34:00.003+02:002015-07-27T07:34:52.260+02:00Home Moroccan police arrests young Sahrawis <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<strong>Dakhla </strong>(Occupied Territories), 26 July 2015 (SPS) -
Moroccan police patrols launched Saturday evening in the occupied city
of Dakhla an arrest campaign, according to the Ministry of Occupied
Territories and Community Abroad. <br />
<br />
During this campaign, Moroccan police arrested young Sahrawis Ahmed
Yacoub, Mohamed Limam, Fateh Ahmedzain, Ahmed Graimish, Adnan Bouila and
Ahmedfal Brehma. They were arrested on the background of their
participation in peaceful demonstration in the city demanding the right
of the Sahrawi people to self-determination.<br />
<br />
The families of the young Sahrawis, supported by Sahrawi citizens,
headed immediately after their arrest to the headquarters of the
Moroccan police commission in the same city to demand the release of
their sons, which led the Moroccan authorities to release Sunday morning
two of them - Mohamed Limam and Ahmedfal Brehma - While others remained
in detention. (SPS)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-64473424622503985852015-07-27T07:33:00.001+02:002015-07-27T07:33:39.670+02:00Establishment of Tanzanian-Saharawi Solidarity Committee (TASSC)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1RE5_M3ev6xyMM5wZ-jqAAOwewkYU40fYRybX7WvfIGYHAAYYJN8nno7kP-do6Rw6MyWLYEj_KXaEASAlpiUjprzCkmhIxMFEPeCGMMsGEdiO4Oh0oxrA5bLzxYhQnEIIWHQOd42gFq8/s1600/TASSC+Jul+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1RE5_M3ev6xyMM5wZ-jqAAOwewkYU40fYRybX7WvfIGYHAAYYJN8nno7kP-do6Rw6MyWLYEj_KXaEASAlpiUjprzCkmhIxMFEPeCGMMsGEdiO4Oh0oxrA5bLzxYhQnEIIWHQOd42gFq8/s1600/TASSC+Jul+25.jpg" /></a><strong>Dar es Salaam</strong> (Tanzania), 26 July 2015 (SPS) - A
Tanzanian-Saharawi Solidarity Committee (TASSC), aimed at supporting the
Saharawi people in their noble struggle for self-determination, has
been inaugurated Saturday in Dar es Salaam by intellectuals,
researchers, students of international law at the University of Dar Es
Salaam (UDM) and artists, said a statement of the SADR embassy in Dar es
Salaam.<br />
<br />
In its inaugural declaration, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Ado
Shaibu, pledged to support the Saharawi people to liberate their country
from colonial rule and manifested the commitment to sensitize the
public opinion regarding human rights violations undertaken by the
Moroccan colonial authorities against the Saharawi defenseless citizens
as well as concerning the plundering of Saharawi natural resources.<br />
<br />
Speaking at the event, the Saharawi Ambassador, Brahim Salem Buseif,
expressed his gratitude to the members of the Committee - said he highly
appreciate this great gesture of solidarity with the Saharawi people-
and paid a tribute to Tanzania for its remarkable contribution in the
liberation struggle of Africa, emphasizing that the establishment of a
solidarity committee by Africans to support their brothers in other part
of Africa goes in line with the legacy left by Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.<br />
<br />
Also, the ambassador gave a summary of the conflict confronting the
Saharawi people and the colonial government of Morocco ending by an
update of the latest developments. <br />
<br />
The ceremony held at The Tanzania-Mozambique Centre for Foreign
Relations was attended by members of the diplomatic corps accredited in
Tanzania. In his statement delivered before the audience, the Dean of
the African Diplomatic Group H.E. Prof Ambrosio Lukoki, Ambassador of
Angola, stated that Morocco must be condemned for occupying an African
country saying that neither Angola nor Tanzania are to be considered
really free until Western Sahara is totally liberated from the Moroccan
colonial yoke.<br />
<br />
The Ambassador of Algeria, H.E. Saad Belabed was among the invited guests who honored the event with their presence.<br />
<br />
The event was witnessed by several mass media organs which, probably, will report about it tomorrow. (SPS)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-26909432147731010702015-07-22T13:59:00.001+02:002015-07-22T13:59:21.953+02:00SADR condemns San Leon Energy drilling plans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6VTYpDBYK3mgjCmzVfON-VFNh7pSp61jl0iz9TdEJsJoeMZCzmQaHrLa_BkdWpYPLHL0Jtwg8Pk6z1HTFPTP9ee1EDR0HAnUqS4rxlSqREB6oLCif-NcR7bTlkDzNdQ4k1f1-3FHQ7fc/s1600/SLE-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6VTYpDBYK3mgjCmzVfON-VFNh7pSp61jl0iz9TdEJsJoeMZCzmQaHrLa_BkdWpYPLHL0Jtwg8Pk6z1HTFPTP9ee1EDR0HAnUqS4rxlSqREB6oLCif-NcR7bTlkDzNdQ4k1f1-3FHQ7fc/s1600/SLE-logo.jpg" /></a><b>Bir Lehlou</b> (Liberated Zones), 20 July, 2015 (SPS) – The
Government of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), on behalf
of the Saharawi people, strongly condemns the announced plans by Irish
company San Leon Energy to commence drilling the onshore Tarfaya well,
El Aaiun-4 in the occupied Territory of Western Sahara, in a letter from
President of the Saharawi Oil and Mines Authority Dr. Zbeir Ghali, to
Company Executive Chairman Mr. M. Oisin Fanning. <br />
<br />
In a press release, San Leon has announced “the signing of a rig
contract with French Company Entrepose Drilling for the drilling of the
El Aaiun-4 well on the Tarfaya conventional licence, onshore Morocco.”
The proposed drill site is located near El Aaiún, the capital city of
occupied Western Sahara and not in the ‘Southern Provinces’ of Morocco
as asserted by San Leon’s Executive Chairman, Oisin Fanning, in a
statement given to the Irish Independent on 13 July 2015.<br />
<br />
The President of the Saharawi Oil and Mines Authority stressed “San
Leon’s actions constitute a serious violation of international law and
of the permanent sovereignty of the Saharawi people over the natural
resources of Western Sahara,” adding that the Kingdom of Morocco, and
its government agencies and corporations, have no legal basis or
authority to grant exploration and development licenses in the occupied
Territory of Western Sahara.<br />
<br />
“Morocco’s presence in the Territory is the result of an illegal
invasion and subsequent illegal occupation. In 1975, the International
Court of Justice concluded that there were no ties of territorial
sovereignty between Western Sahara and Morocco. No country recognizes
Moroccan ties or sovereign rights over any part of the Territory of
Western Sahara, thus further underlining the illegality of any attempt
by Morocco to enter into agreements with foreign interests for the
purpose of exploring and exploiting Western Sahara’s natural resources.”<br />
<br />
“The SADR Government has confirmed its exclusive sovereign rights for
the granting of licenses to authorize the exploration and development of
the natural resources of Western Sahara.”<br />
<br />
“The SADR Government, including the SADR Petroleum and Mines Authority,
reserves the right to use all available means, including through legal
action, to prevent and seek reparation in relation to any unauthorized
activities concerning the natural resources of Western Sahara. The SADR
urges San Leon Energy to cancel with immediate effect its plans to
proceed with drilling in the occupied Territory of Western Sahara. The
SADR has written to San Leon’s Executive Chairman, Oisin Fanning, to
this effect.”<br />
<br />
“The SADR undertakes to bring this issue to the attention of the UN
Secretary-General and the UN Security Council as the activities of San
Leon Energy run the risk of undermining the efforts of the UN to achieve
a peaceful resolution to the dispute over Western Sahara that will
provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in
accordance with UN Security Council resolutions,” concluded President of
the Saharawi Oil and Mines Authority. (SPS)<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-55026450272142130312015-07-19T10:28:00.003+02:002015-07-19T10:28:39.929+02:00A nation in exile for four decades<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40nvQSKx3ZlglaK_21gI3_KfMPSPvpa5fxHlZrAf_TumCkZdvN4Lhr62uH22d8HxVqtkuFuor-oHtfACNb1JtoUikzOTiK5HDO7ShZfICST9LOIWbptNrC3KzwUlpIxs7DvX8rHQdXA3k/s1600/2702068425-300x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40nvQSKx3ZlglaK_21gI3_KfMPSPvpa5fxHlZrAf_TumCkZdvN4Lhr62uH22d8HxVqtkuFuor-oHtfACNb1JtoUikzOTiK5HDO7ShZfICST9LOIWbptNrC3KzwUlpIxs7DvX8rHQdXA3k/s1600/2702068425-300x225.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="color: #993300;">By: Catherine Constantinides</span></strong>
<br />
<br />
<strong>“Are the Saharawi a forgotten people, or is it just easier to
turn a blind eye to an illegal occupation?”, asks Catherine
Constantinides</strong><br />
As we celebrate Africa month and honour a continent that has nurtured
us, we embrace the rich diversity, culture and heritage that we share
as a people of Africa. It is our responsibility to know our continent
and understand her people. Our calling is to strive to maintain a
liberated, united and prosperous Africa. In my quest to achieve these
objectives I have had the privilege of learning about a people, a land
and a forgotten story of our very own continent.<br />
Everyday life happens, we go about our daily routine, and then as if
from nowhere a story finds you, you don’t see it, you don’t expect it,
but it’s there and it reshapes your perspective. A paradigm shift takes
place and your view point is changed forever.<br />
<img alt="iol news pic Sahawi oped" class=" alignright" src="http://www.iol.co.za/polopoly_fs/iol-news-pic-sahawi-oped-1.1862145%21/image/iol%20news%20pic%20Sahawi%20oped.jpg_gen/derivatives/box_300/iol%20news%20pic%20Sahawi%20oped.jpg" />Six
months ago I had no idea that a nation known as the Saharawi, and a
country called the Western Sahara even existed, no less than on our own
continent, Africa. I had no idea that there were human atrocities
happening in North West Africa that in South Africa we know nothing of,
it is not spoken of, and knowledge of this is very difficult to acquire.<br />
The Western Sahara; commonly referred to as the last frontier of
Africa, has been under the illegal occupation of Morocco, in accordance
to international law. In 1963 the Western Sahara was added to the United
Nations list of non-self governing territories and it was only in 1975
that the Western Sahara saw the departure of their coloniser Spain. The
Spanish left and Madrid ceded control of the territory to Morocco and
Mauritania. With both countries claiming sovereignty over the territory,
this triggered an armed conflict with the Polisario Front, the
liberation movement that the UN considers as the legitimate
representation of the Saharawi people. This conflict marked the
beginning of a refugee crisis that has become an ongoing and forgotten
conflict. Africa can never, ever be free until those across our
continent have their basic human rights, self determination and an
opportunity to live freely!<br />
Four decades have passed since the Saharawi refugee crisis began;
today these people are still living in exile, while their families are
back home, in the occupied territory, those that stayed behind are
subjected to inhumane conditions. 40 years on, how do a people keep hope
alive? This is a subject that is tabled and included on the agenda of
the UN Security Council each year, this is as a result of the groundwork
done by the African Union; yet generations later children are being
born in a refugee camp, with no idea as to the world outside of the
camps.<br />
<h6>
<img alt="iol news pic Sahawi oped 2" class="pics alignleft" src="http://www.iol.co.za/polopoly_fs/iol-news-pic-sahawi-oped-2-1.1862147%21/image/1767817832.jpg_gen/derivatives/box_300/1767817832.jpg" title="" /><span style="color: #993300;"><span class="captions">The
desert sand is the Sarahawi children’s playground; nothing grows here,
not a shrub, not a blade of grass and not a tree to be found, there is
no vegetation of any kind.</span></span></h6>
In 1975 the Saharawi were forced to flee their land and found refuge
in south-west Algeria, with the expectation that one day they would
return to their home. Traditionally a nomadic people, they have been
forced to settle in an arid desert environment with no opportunity to be
self-sufficient or productive. A camp set up in the midst of the
desert, exposed to extreme heat that reaches 55’celcius, harsh
sandstorms, constant drought and infrequent but hostile torrential
rains.<br />
These are a people that have been denied their home, their
independence and their human rights! I know all of this now, because I
had the opportunity to visit, learn and engage with these forgotten
people. I was invited by the Saharawi Women Organization to join them at
a refugee camp just outside Tindouf in Algeria, in a camp called Smara.
There was much debate and discussion before my decision was made to
embark on this journey. A journey, that would take me to a far corner of
the African continent and would see me live with refugees, in refugee
conditions. For seven days I committed to living with the exiled
Saharawi, an urban being in the desert, with no running water, no
electricity, no arable land, no food, no basics; I would get to come
home after my time in the camp, but the families there would not go
home, and they would not have something different tomorrow, they live
day to day. They survive only on the basket of dried goods that is
air-dropped every month by the World Food Programme (WFP). These people
do not get to go home: this is the only home that they now know…<br />
When this story found me, I was faced by many questions, where was
this, what were the logistics involved, what were the security
challenges, what were the health risks, the ultimate question, “Could
people on our continent be living without the right of self governance,
and self determination?” I was challenged to step from the known into
the unknown, so as to see, hear and know what truth lay behind this
story. I was compelled to seek information and to create an awareness of
the human rights issue of the Saharawi People.<br />
I stand in solidarity with a people who have fought for 40 years to
be independent and have the right to self determination and
decolonisation. I now ask the question, “Are the Saharawi a forgotten
people of the world, or is it just easier to turn a blind eye to an
illegal occupation?” The total population of the Saharawi is
approximately one million people. The Western Sahara is a land rich in
mineral resources, oil, gold, the world’s largest deposits of phosphates
and a rich fishing coastline to name but a few of the natural
resources, these resources should be the right of the Saharawi people,
this should be what they could have built their economy on, and yet they
cannot go home and they live a meagre existence in a refugee camp.<br />
It was 23h30, I had been travelling for 18 hours; the last flight had
been by military plane into an army base two hours away from the
refugee camps. No business class, no luggage conveyor, a cold, war like
structure. A seasoned traveller, this was somewhat different; used to
gliding through snow white clouds and blue skies. The military aircraft
ploughed through the sky, with much noise and movement, there was a
feeling of displacement in the air, my journey was happening. On arrival
at the camps the darkness was intriguing. It was as if a thick blanket
concealed the story I would uncover in the days ahead. My eyes began to
adjust I could see these little tents peering through, dwellings
scattered across a vastness of nothing, this was the desert. No markings
or indication as to where we were, or where we were going.<br />
Some of the tents and small structures had a gentle shine which I was
told was the only light source which was emitted from a solar powered
battery, candle light or a rechargeable lamp. The shadow of light
carried an ambiance of hope and comfort. Bumedian, my new friend and
expert desert driver, explained to me, “It is easier to drive at night
as your bearings lie in the stars and constellations.” I was mesmerised
by the light of the moon and the soft glow that fell across the camp
that allowed me a glimpse of what I would see when day arrived.<br />
The warm embrace of Shabba and Miriam, two sisters from the family
that I stayed with, was overwhelming and emotional. Language was a huge
barrier, as no English is spoken by the majority of Saharawi people, who
all speak a dialect of Arabic, and a small group also speak French. We
made our way into the family tent, where we were asked to leave our
shoes outside. Mutha, an English student and the protocol officer,
stayed with me.<br />
As day broke, the tender sound of the Muazzin was heard across the
camp, and the women of the family I stayed with started their first
prayers for the day. Breakfast was a humble helping of dry bread, jam
and milk coffee, there is no running water, long life milk is all that
is available, and it is considered a luxury for those that do have it. I
quickly learnt that water is very scarce and used for washing before
prayers and refreshing rinses at the hottest times of the day. The basic
routine of bathing in the morning, washing your teeth and other ‘daily
rituals’ were somewhat of a luxury. This family had no toiletry bag
filled with the items we take for granted, toothpaste and toothbrushes
were not available.<br />
I stepped out of the family tent, and was struck by the bright light
and the vast naked desert. As far as my eye could see, in every
direction, tiny dwellings and tents covered the landscape. I paused to
get my bearings, as reality and shock started to become reality. Slowly
the gentle laughter of children filled the crisp morning air and started
to permeate the harsh reality that I could see around me. These
children do not know anything other than this camp; they are playful,
happy and content. The desert sand is their playground; nothing grows
here, not a shrub, not a blade of grass and not a tree to be found,
there is no vegetation of any kind. I quickly realised that there is no
oasis in this desert. A ‘lilo’ like plastic is placed alongside each
tent, which is filled with rationed water for each family; the water
truck comes every few weeks. My family were insistent that I use as much
water as I needed, but I humbly acknowledged that I would get to go
home and I would leave these beautiful people here in the Sahara, still
with no running water or electricity.<br />
As I lay my head on the floor that night, I closed my eyes and I knew
that tomorrow would never be the same, I would never be the same; I was
a different person… I thought that poverty was what we had to fight,
but this surpassed poverty, here there was nothing. I knew that I could
not mistake the soft light, the amazing heavens, the smiles the children
shared, their willingness to share love with me, did not mean that all
was well. These are people that, 40 years on, still have a packed bag in
their tent, so that when they are called, they will be ready to go
home.<br />
I ask that people support my call; support their call, to bring about
international action, in order to bring about the change that the
Saharawi people have been waiting for; they must be given their rights
as a people.<br />
A refugee camp is a place of loneliness and nothingness, yet one
could easily be mistaken that the bright and colourful material worn by
the women of the Western Sahara is what brings light and colour to this
bare landscape. However, you would be sorely mistaken as the light in
the camp comes from the power of the human spirit within these people.
These people are proof that even under such harsh conditions, despite a
lack of human rights and a call for action for them to return home, I
could feel that #HopeLivesHere.<br />
We need to stand against the existence of such; we need to demand the
right of self determination, self governance and human rights for all
people. It saddens my very fibre that people must wait for a monthly
food basket composed of nine dry commodities; that never change, there
is no variation, it always remains the same, and it is all that there
is.<br />
There is a will power, a strength of mind and a community built by
the determination and strength of women who play the most crucial role
in pushing this movement forward! The human spirit LIVES, it lives in
these camps, in those tents and in the heart of all who pass through
that place!<br />
<h6>
* <strong><em>Catherine Constantinides is a Lead SA Executive,
Director of Miss Earth South Africa, International Climate Activist and
Humanitarian. Constantinides is an Archbishop Tutu African Oxford Fellow
and serves as a Social Cohesion Advocate for the Department of Arts and
Culture. Follw her on Twitter @ChangeAgentSA</em></strong></h6>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-45773442985315094652015-07-16T11:34:00.003+02:002015-07-16T11:34:56.574+02:00Western Sahara: Forty years waiting for decolonization<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UZwMVCy7HDco24Gbb9_vT45bovNl2TKbAygQ8_i79f35VLjqteGLTmkAmLqbaWD1uvuMfYSc5ByGQnIVQkHl7ryVsLhWz2Ac2l7tu3Lkb2Mixy5y2F4pNAhg801vVGN6Lom8j8C0SnQa/s1600/facebook-20140805-184115.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UZwMVCy7HDco24Gbb9_vT45bovNl2TKbAygQ8_i79f35VLjqteGLTmkAmLqbaWD1uvuMfYSc5ByGQnIVQkHl7ryVsLhWz2Ac2l7tu3Lkb2Mixy5y2F4pNAhg801vVGN6Lom8j8C0SnQa/s320/facebook-20140805-184115.png" width="319" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">By Mohamed
Cheij Saleh, Saharawi Ambassador to Zimbabwe</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The people
of Western Sahara are waiting for self-determination and independence since
1963 when the UN General Assembly included this territory in the list of
non-self-governing Territories. The inability of the UN to resolve the question
is due to the double standards of some of the UN Security Council members who
put their interests above anything else. This attitude has encouraged Morocco
in its illegal occupation to Western Sahara despite the clear UN resolutions
and the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of 1975, leading
to the current stalemate in the process of the referendum on self-determination.
In the meantime and in the light of increasing suffering of the Saharawi
People, the UN has not yet been able to take firm procedures toward Morocco’s
grave violations of human rights and the illegal exploitation of the natural
resources of the territory despite of the voices calling for putting the
territory under international control.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Background</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The rich-phosphate
-and-fish Western Sahara is the last colony in Africa, located on the
continent’s Atlantic coast to the south of Morocco, to the north of Mauritania
and to the east of Algeria. In the late 19<sup>th</sup> century, this vast
territory of 286.000 square kilometers was inhabited by indigenous population
known as the Saharawis. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Since 1963, the Territory has been inscribed on the list of
non-self-governing territories to which UN General Assembly resolution 1514(XV)
of 14 December 1960 on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and
Peoples applies. To this day, the Territory is on the UN list of the remaining
17 dependent territories yet to exercise their right to self-determination, and
the only one on the African continent</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The case of Western Sahara is
thus a relic of Africa’s colonial history, with the Territory having fallen
into the hands of Spain during the colonial scramble for Africa, over a century
ago. Spanish domination of the Territory continued until the mid-1970’s
by which time the UN General Assembly had been calling on Spain, as the
Administering Power, to organize a referendum to enable the people of Western
Sahara to exercise their right to self-determination</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">. In violation of the relevant UN resolutions
and in contradiction with the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of
Justice of 16 October 1975, which rejected Moroccan claims over the territory, Spain
signed an illegal agreement on 14 November 1975 to transfer the Territory to
temporary tripartite administration of Spain, Morocco and Mauritania. Spain
withdrew by the end of February 1976 in a notorious precedent that remains a stain
on Spanish government. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediately after
Spanish withdrawal, The Polisario front proclaimed the Saharawi Arab Democratic
Republic (SADR) on 27 February 1976, which was admitted by the Organization of
Africa Unity (OAU) as a Member State in 1982 and now is a full founding member
of the African Union. It has been recognized by more than 84 UN Member States
and has established diplomatic relations with dozens of countries
worldwide<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The
Polisario Front, the sole and legitimate representative of the Saharawi people
which is a result of a long resistance movement, launched the armed struggle on
20 May 1973 against Spanish colonization to be continued against Morocco and Mauritania;
the later withdrew after having been defeated by the Saharawi Army in 1979.
After sixteen year of unbalanced fierce war, the UN and the OAU managed to broker
a ceasefire in the context of the settlement plan of 1991 for a referendum of
self-determination for the Saharawi people.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The protracted referendum on self-determination</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The OAU engaged in a mediation process, which culminated in the adoption by
the 19th Ordinary Session of the Summit of Heads of State and Government, held
in Addis Ababa from 6 to 12 June 1983, of an OAU Peace Plan, through resolution
AHG/Res.104(XIX). In the resolution, the Summit urged the parties to the
conflict, Morocco and the Polisario Front, to undertake direct negotiations
with a view to bringing about a ceasefire to create the necessary conditions
for a peaceful and fair referendum for self-determination for the people of
Western Sahara, without any administrative or military constraints, under the
auspices of the OAU and the UN. The Summit requested the UN, in conjunction
with the OAU, to provide a peacekeeping force to be stationed in Western Sahara,
to ensure peace and security during the organization and conduct of the
referendum</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES;">. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In resolution 658 (1990), the
Security Council approved the report of the Secretary-General of 18 June 1990,
which contained the full text of the Settlement Proposals, as accepted by the
two parties as well as an outline of the plan provided by Secretary-General in
order to implement these proposals. On 29 April 1991, the Security Council, in
resolution 690 (1991), decided to establish the United Nations Mission for the Referendum
in Western Sahara (MINURSO) to supervise a ceasefire between the Moroccan and
the Polisario Front Forces and to conduct the referendum on self-determination
within six months . To this day, the Settlement Plan remains the only agreement
ever accepted by both the Kingdom of Morocco and the Polisario Front towards
the peaceful resolution of the dispute over Western Sahara. While the ceasefire
component of the Plan, agreed to by the two sides on 6 September 1991, still holds,
no progress was made regarding the holding of the envisaged referendum of self-determination
despite of UN-approved voter list in 1999 which was rejected by Morocco. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The UN inaction</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The status of Western Sahara has never constituted a problem. For the UN
General Assembly and Security Council it is a clear-cut question of
decolonization, but the major obstacle to reaching a solution is the interests
of some of the UN Security Council members that consider Morocco an important
ally. The double standards of some of the members have often prevented the
Council from taking a decisive decision to enable the Saharawi people to
exercise their right to self-determination. All attempts initiated by the UN
Secretary-General until now have failed due to the intransigence of Morocco and
the absence of pressure from the UN Security Council members on it to comply
with its obligations towards the implementation of the international legitimacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No progress is expected as long as there is no
good will within the members of the UN Security Council to empower the UN mission
on ground, MINURSO, by expanding its mandate to include monitoring of human
rights and the exploitation of natural resources, given that MINURSO is the
only UN mission, established since 1978, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which does not have any human right mandate. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The role of France as a permanent member of
the UN Security Council has always been negative; it has remained supportive of
Morocco’s occupation of Western Sahara and has objected to all attempts aimed
to extending the mandate of MINURSO to protect the Saharawi population and
their natural resources. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Increasing the suffering of
Saharawi people</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The Territory of Western Sahara is divided into two parts by a 2700
kilometers berm constructed by Moroccan army during the early 1980s to tighten its
grip on the occupied territories where the Moroccan authorities have been
committing crimes against humanity. Grave violations of human rights have been
documented by UN and AU different mechanisms of Human rights, non-government
organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and a number of
international human rights activists and media. The occupied territories of
Western Sahara have been under total siege for 40 years. The overwhelming
presence of security forces, the violations of the right to life, liberty, and
personal integrity, freedom of expression, assembly and association create a
situation of fear and intimidation that violates the rule of international law.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In the other part, more than 150.000 Saharawis are forced to live in very
insecure humanitarian conditions in refugees camps in the South-west of
Algeria. However, the long duration of the conflict and the effects of the
global changes are making the situation more unbearable.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">There is still hope against all odds; neither the daily oppression by
Moroccan security forces nor the extreme humanitarian situation could smother
the aspirations of the Saharawi people to achieve their goals in self-determination
and independence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Africa </span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">scaling
up efforts</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES;">Following
concerns expressed during successive meetings of the relevant AU policy organs
at the lack of progress in the search for a solution to the conflict in Western
Sahara, the Executive Council, at its 22<sup>nd</sup> Ordinary Session held in
Addis Ababa from 24 to 25 January 2013, adopted decision EX.CL/Dec.758(XXII) in
which it requested that all necessary measures be taken for the organization of
a referendum for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, in
compliance with the relevant decisions of the Organization of African
Unity(OAU) and United Nations(UN) resolutions. To reinforce its implication in
the Western Sahara issue, the AU appointed in June 2014 the former President of
Mozambique, Joaquim Chissano, as special envoy for the Chairperson of AU
Commission for Western Sahara. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES;">The</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> issue of Western Sahara resurfaced
on the agenda of the January AU summit in Addis Ababa. In his first speech as
the new AU chairperson, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe stressed that
‘Africa’s failure to decolonize Western Sahara would be a negation of the
African ideals and principles’ of the founding fathers of the continental organization.
President Mugabe, who was warmly applauded for this statement, further called
for the implementation of all relevant UN resolutions requiring that a
referendum on self-determination for the Saharawi people be held, and emphasized
that Africa would not be completely free ‘as long as our brothers and sisters
in Western Sahara remain under Moroccan occupation’. The AU’s Executive Council
meeting on 28 January 2015 showed solidarity with the struggle for an
independent Saharawi Republic. The chair of the Council, Zimbabwe Minister of
Foreign Affairs Honorable Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, also announced that Western
Sahara would be one of the top priorities of Zimbabwe’s AU presidency in 2015. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi;">For its part, the AU
Peace and Security Council, at its 496<sup>th</sup> meeting held on 27 March
2015, appealed for an enhanced and coordinated international action towards the
early organization of a referendum for the self-determination of the people of
Western Sahara. The PSC also decided to: reactivate the <i>ad hoc</i> Committee
of Heads of State and Government on the conflict in Western Sahara, established
by the 15<sup>th</sup> Ordinary Session of the OAU Assembly of Heads of State
and Government, held in Khartoum, in July 1978; and to establish<b> </b>an
International Contact Group for Western Sahara (ICG-WS). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In the latest 25<sup>th</sup>
Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa, the AU Assembly, recalling that the
AU is a co-guarantor of the 1991 settlement plan for referendum, called on the
UN Assembly General to determine a date for the holding of the
self-determination referendum for the people of Western Sahara and to protect
the integrity of the Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory from any
act which may undermine. It also urged the Security Council to fully assume its
responsibilities and to effectively address the issues of the respect for human
rights and the illegal exploitation of the Territory’s natural resources. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Conclusion </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">UN settlement efforts
regarding Western Sahara have reached a crisis point. The attempts by the UN
Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Ambassador Christopher
Ross, to pursue ‘talks’ between the Parties or to conduct shuttle diplomacy have
been unproductive. The UNSC has failed to provide any direction or purpose for
Ross’s efforts, and MINURSO’s core mandate to organize a referendum remains
suspended as a result of Morocco’s refusal to countenance a vote that includes
independence as an option, despite this being a requirement in the joint OAU-UN
Settlement Plan. In the meantime, a generation of Saharawi people has been
divided by an illegal Moroccan occupation that brutalizes the Saharawi
population in the occupied part of the Territory, and has forced more than 150,000
Saharawi people to live in exile. In the absence of the will of international
community to enable the Saharawi people to exercise their right to
self-determination and independence, the only option left for the Saharawi
people is to take up arms once again.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: ES; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-67349476201526416872015-07-13T15:54:00.001+02:002015-07-13T15:54:44.585+02:00Moroccan security forces “violently” disperse peaceful protest of unemployed Sahrawi graduates<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBmWxrhsoZ6Avba4tWm3KaYVUh_MGC_IIt5jS_cX1RFR3ObDwreeNpy2v8H_wTXTWzlMIK05WsSZQugLsnu_JPlq-UeuzyPnYhUm8G6dCkImTDj9dsFvy0LylJU_B3ijWwiHLrL4xl6XX/s1600/11731576_736130933154446_4788745775776885174_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBmWxrhsoZ6Avba4tWm3KaYVUh_MGC_IIt5jS_cX1RFR3ObDwreeNpy2v8H_wTXTWzlMIK05WsSZQugLsnu_JPlq-UeuzyPnYhUm8G6dCkImTDj9dsFvy0LylJU_B3ijWwiHLrL4xl6XX/s1600/11731576_736130933154446_4788745775776885174_o.jpg" /></a><strong>El Aaiun</strong> (Occupied Territories), 12 July 2015 (SPS) –
The Moroccan security forces with their various formations intervened on
Saturday evening to brutally disperse a peaceful sit-in organized by
the Local Coordination of Unemployed Sahrawi Graduates in the occupied
city of El Aaiun, capital of Western Sahara.<br />
<br />
The peaceful sit-in was organized in protest of the repressive practices
carried out by the Moroccan authorities of occupation against the
Coordination and all the Sahrawi citizens in the occupied territories of
Western Sahara.<br />
<br />
The Moroccan security forces used force to prevent the peaceful Sahrawi
demonstrators from their right to peaceful protest and as a result
Sahrawi citizen Saeed Ayashy was injured. <br />
<br />
Regarding this barbaric intervention, the Coordination confirmed in a
statement a copy of it received by SPS that it will continue to adhere
to the right to peaceful protest in defense of the legitimate social
rights guaranteed by all international conventions.<br />
<br />
The statement denounced the media blackout imposed the Moroccan
authorities of occupation on the occupied territories in an attempt to
conceal the gross human rights violations exercised against the
defenseless Sahrawi civilians. (SPS)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-28772950518932804252015-07-13T15:53:00.001+02:002015-07-13T15:53:22.048+02:00Moroccan authorities threaten director of Media Team for hosting Al Jazeera English TV correspondent<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMlX8xRpSBcRbHb-hmCxSUc_2rST9PSkkpZUDYvSaiWnKUipFv-b80DPVSbSnhc-Xqs06J9bBPMIlmpStJHmbtVlTt_tEZ_MEcSdne7QYoG-1rA_6wXv6TMcgcM4fqhbSsVUjNoyTXeJY/s1600/periodista+Karlos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMlX8xRpSBcRbHb-hmCxSUc_2rST9PSkkpZUDYvSaiWnKUipFv-b80DPVSbSnhc-Xqs06J9bBPMIlmpStJHmbtVlTt_tEZ_MEcSdne7QYoG-1rA_6wXv6TMcgcM4fqhbSsVUjNoyTXeJY/s1600/periodista+Karlos.jpg" /></a><strong>El Aaiun</strong> (Occupied Territories) 07/12/15 (SPS) - The
Moroccan authorities besieged recently in the occupied city of El Aaiun
the home of Sahrawi activist and director of the Media Team, Ahmed
Tanji, for hosting Al Jazeera English TV correspondent journalist
Karlos Zurutuza.<br />
<br />
The Saharawi activist received insults, threats and degrading comments
from the Moroccan police for receiving journalist Karlos Zurutuza, who
is also correspondent of other international media.<br />
<br />
The journalist, constantly followed and watched by the Moroccan police
elements, was in the city to meet with human rights activists such as
Aminetu Haidar, Sidi Mohamed Dadach and other.<br />
<br />
Al Jazeera English TV correspondent Karlos Zurutuza had visited the
Saharawi refugee camps and the liberated zones of Western Sahara in 2012
and conducted an interview with President Mohamed Abdelaziz.<br />
<br />
He is an independent journalist and regular contributor to news agency
Inter Press Service (IPS). He has worked for more than 10 years for the
Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, it should be recalled. (SPS)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-8894032655903657182015-07-11T11:09:00.000+02:002015-07-11T11:09:47.688+02:00The West is very sensitive to blackmail with Morocco stability subject (Abdelaziz Rahabi)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_go0__1GcYixXdXI5eJ9DV7Ni9CS7YkTAEco0ANH-lAgIU-OXJP9r8KhQcTKV_fSOo-6DxHDWucik7O25xGRpCjkA76EJMh0Sub3260TuOuw9fB0Rxc0Rf9MoNaN3aTT0DnQylNtXpmvj/s1600/rahabi2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_go0__1GcYixXdXI5eJ9DV7Ni9CS7YkTAEco0ANH-lAgIU-OXJP9r8KhQcTKV_fSOo-6DxHDWucik7O25xGRpCjkA76EJMh0Sub3260TuOuw9fB0Rxc0Rf9MoNaN3aTT0DnQylNtXpmvj/s1600/rahabi2.jpg" /></a><strong>Algiers, July 10, 2015 (SPS) .-</strong> The West is very
sensitive to blackmail with Morocco's stability subject, said Algerian
diplomat and former minister of communication, Mr Abdelaziz Rahabi.<br />
<br />
In an interview with Le Soir d'Algérie daily, Mr. Rahabi said that the
West is very sensitive to blackmail with Morocco's stability subject,
adding that "so, there is an idea propagated among some governments,
security experts and in task forces that the independence of Western
Sahara could lead to instability in the kingdom. On the contrary, we
believe that the settlement of the Saharawi question should consolidate
Morocco and the Maghreb".<br />
<br />
According to Mr. Rahabi, "it is undeniable that without the support of
France, Spain and the American complacency, Morocco would never have
shown such arrogance and rigidity in its positions vis -to-vis to
Western Sahara. This multifaceted and full support specially from these
countries, which is the cause of the Moroccan intransigence and explains
in large part the freezing of contact between Saharawis and Moroccans
and slow down the UN process".<br />
Regarding his country position on Western Sahara conflict, Rahabi
highlighted that "the Algerian position has a quality that all partners
recognize which is its constancy. Since 1975, we defend that position.
We didn't give up neither to crisis, nor blackmail, nor to foreign
pressure, nor to the time. We always said that it was a question of
decolonization and, as such, the international community has a
responsibility".<br />
<br />
"What may constitute an evolution in the Algerian diplomacy is that
this issue will gradually return to the African Union, who should
therefore act as a group to advance the dynamic which is slowed down now
because of French, Spanish and American pressures", he added. SPS</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-59793865344633094222015-07-11T11:05:00.002+02:002015-07-11T11:05:42.739+02:00Family of martyr Mohamed Lamine Haidala renews call for investigation into assassination of her son<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwrsRU-vncuB-XzuZymzp8GlPG5F2BCyTH4f_ys3hTmdDTovg1ZMYASXvXTdTgETir2CPZ_OLkk9VkCrmgm1OFQsRDbQITIoRkOf9ImWA3prHdU07OEkNMIgj2fh4GnWUj73O0Cc3hxrY/s1600/lamin+haidala.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwrsRU-vncuB-XzuZymzp8GlPG5F2BCyTH4f_ys3hTmdDTovg1ZMYASXvXTdTgETir2CPZ_OLkk9VkCrmgm1OFQsRDbQITIoRkOf9ImWA3prHdU07OEkNMIgj2fh4GnWUj73O0Cc3hxrY/s1600/lamin+haidala.JPG" /></a><strong>El Aaiun</strong> (occupied territories), July 10, 2015 (SPS)
- Family of the Saharawi martyr Mohamed Lamine Haidala has once again
renewed their call for an independent investigation into the reasons and
circumstances behind the assassination of their son, holding Moroccan
state responsible for the crime.<br />
In a statement to SPS, the family hailed the very commendable
efforts of those who stood by the side of mother of the martyr, Takbar
Hadi, in her hunger strike, including of which international
personalities, Spanish political parties, human rights organizations,
associations, institutions and parliaments.<br />
The statement deplored the move by Spanish authorities to prevent
Takbar from continuing her open hunger strike outside the Moroccan
Consulate in Las Palmas de Gran Canarias, Spain.<br />
The family also reiterated attachment to the legitimate demands
Takbar Hadi has already claimed in various international forums, lastly
of which the 29th session of the Human Rights Council of the United
Nations. (SPS)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5390600649023251758.post-35881226523611632582015-07-09T10:01:00.002+02:002015-07-09T10:01:20.616+02:00POLISARIO welcomes Socialist International’s calling for just and lasting solution to Western Sahara conflict<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqLj4MK_fzY_dCD8y0xbqKq68bNJ5ld9ZuJtVlP46cavwlINLGvG8r8_jkWiiXb-j-T-QZvyu2O3rWHZoQhB2ZUXh9C-UfX40qjLWDGzyyOs3o8mqlU33g99z15y55CVZmvvwes0q-m7M/s1600/boli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqLj4MK_fzY_dCD8y0xbqKq68bNJ5ld9ZuJtVlP46cavwlINLGvG8r8_jkWiiXb-j-T-QZvyu2O3rWHZoQhB2ZUXh9C-UfX40qjLWDGzyyOs3o8mqlU33g99z15y55CVZmvvwes0q-m7M/s1600/boli.jpg" /></a>New York,- The Frente Polisario has welcomed the
unanimous adoption by the Council of Socialist International (SI) of its
mission report on Western Sahara, hailing its commitment to contribute
to finding a just, peaceful and lasting to the conflict, said a
statement of the Saharawi Ministry of Information, a copy of which
obtained by SPS.<br />
The report, adopted at the last SI congress held in Cape Town from 5
to 7 July 2015, called on the international community to strongly
support the MINURSO Mission in carrying its primary mandate, which is to
organize a referendum on right to self-determination of the Saharawi
people, still the only legitimate way to resolve the conflict.<br />
Socialist International also expressed commitment to continue
addressing the specialized bodies and organs of the United Nations
regarding its attitude on the question of Western Sahara.<br />
“We cannot but welcome this report the interest given by the
Socialist International to the decolonization process in Western
Sahara,” said Mr. Mohamed Sidati, Saharawi Minister Delegate for Europe,
following the adoption of the report. (SPS)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06935813903984721188noreply@blogger.com