Foreign Ministry refutes any secret contacts between Polisario Front and Morocco

Chahid Al hafed (refugee camps), Feb 5, 2015 (SPS) - Foreign Ministry Spokesperson has refuted the propaganda promoted in the recent days by Moroccan media of secret contacts between the Frente Polisario and Morocco in France.

In a statement to SPS, the source indicated that such rumors aim to divert the Moroccan public opinion in particular and the world as a whole from the defeats of Moroccan occupation, last of which AU Summit’s condemnation of Moroccan occupation of parts of the territory of the Saharawi Republic (SADR).

“The last African Summit has insisted on the need to conduct a referendum on self-determination for the Saharawi people. It therefore called on the international community not to participate at the Crans Monata Forum,” stated Saharawi Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

By allowing the UN Personal Envoy Christopher Ross and Head of MINURSO Kim Bolduc to resume their mission, said the official, Morocco once again gives in to international pressure.

“Moroccan Government and its intelligence have always resorted to fallacy and forgery in order to impose a colonial policy, which is rejected by the international community,” underlined the source. (SPS)

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Algeria, Benin for Saharawi people’s self-determination

Algiers, Feb 4, 2015 (SPS) - Algeria and Benin have reaffirmed their support to the efforts of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and his special envoy Christopher Ross, in finding a political solution guaranteeing the Sahrawi people’s self-determination, said a joint communiqué published Wednesday at the end of Beninese president Thomas Boni Yayi visit to Algeria.

During this visit, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and his Beninese counterpart have “reaffirmed their support to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and his special envoy Christopher Ross, in finding a political and mutually acceptable solution, which provides for the self-determination of Western Sahara people, in line with the Resolutions of UN Security Council and General Assembly,” the same source said.

Registered since 1963 on the list of Non-Self Governing territories and therefore eligible for the application of Resolution 1514 of the UN General Assembly containing a declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples, Western Sahara is the last colony in Africa which is occupied by Morocco since 1975 with the support of France. (SPS)

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AU calls for boycott of next edition of Crans Montana Forum scheduled in occupied city of Dakhla (Declaration)

Addis Ababa, February 1, 2015 (SPS) - The African Union has launched Saturday in Addis Ababa, a call to member countries and organizations not to participate in the Crans Montana Forum, scheduled in the occupied city of Dakhla, Western Sahara, in March, considering it a violation of international law.
 
 Below is the full text of the declaration of the 24th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, held from 30 to 31 January 2015 in Addis Ababa:
 
“ASSEMBLY OF THE UNION
Twenty-Fourth Ordinary Session
30 - 31 January 2015
Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA
DECLARATION
ON THE ORGANIZATION OF CRANS MONTANA FORUM IN THE OCCUPIED CITY OF DAKHLA, WESTERN SAHARA
We, the Heads of States and Governments of the African Union, having met at our Twenty Fourth Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 30 to 31 January 2015;
Taking Note of the recommendation of the Executive Council to issue a declaration on the organization of Crans Montana Forum in the occupied city of Dakhla (Western Sahara) on 12-14 March 2015 ;
Recalling all decisions and resolutions adopted by the OAU/AU and UN on the Situation in Western Sahara;
Bearing in mind the efforts undertaken by the UN and AU to achieve a just and lasting solution of the question of Western Sahara in accordance with the UN Charter and Resolution 1514 adopted in 1960 related to the decolonisation;
Hereby:
1.            REAFIRM the decision EX.CL/Dec.758(XXII) endorsed by the Assembly of the Union which inter alia “ Requests the Commission to take all the necessary measures for the organization of a referendum for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in compliance with the relevant OAU/AU Decisions and UN Resolutions” and the Assembly decision (Assembly/AU/Dec.536(XXIII)), adopted by the 23rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly held in Malabo on June 2014 ;
2.            EXPRESS support to the efforts made by the Chairperson of the AUC and the AU Special Envoy, the former President of Mozambique, H.E Joaquim Chissano, in coordination and complementarity with the efforts made by the UNSG Personal Envoy on Western Sahara, H.E. Ambassador Christopher Ross;
3.            CONSIDER that the organisation of any international conference in the current circumstances in Western Sahara is in contradiction with the efforts made by the International Community to resolve the conflict in Western Sahara, and can only create an atmosphere of confrontation in the territory;
4.            URGE the Swiss International Organization “Crans Montana” and all other organizers to cancel the meeting planned in the occupied city of Dakhla (Western Sahara), as it is a grave violation of the International Law;
5.            CALL UPON the AU Member States, African Civil Society and all Organisations not to participate in this Forum, scheduled from 12th to the 14th  March 2015 in the occupied city of Dakhla (Western Sahara);
6.            REQUEST the Commission to take all necessary measures to ensure the follow up of this declaration.” (SPS)

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Africa’s failure to decolonise Western Sahara would be a negation to African ideals and principles (Robert Mugabe)

Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), February 1, 2015 (SPS) - The in-coming Chairperson of the African Union, President of Zimbabwe, H.E. Robert Mugabe, stressed in his acceptance speech in front of the 24th Assembly of Heads of States and Governments held at the organisation’s headquarters in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, that “Africa’s failure to decolonise Western Sahara would be a negation to African ideals and principles”.
 
He called on the UN to “implement all relevant resolutions requiring the holding of a referendum on self-determination for the Saharawi people”, estimating that “Our failure to complete the decolonisation process in Western Sahara would be a serious negation of the ideals that our founding fathers fought for and bequeathed to us.”
 
He emphasised that “the continent is not completely free, for as long as our brothers and sisters in Western Sahara remain under Moroccan occupation.”
 
The President of Zimbabwe, H.E. Robert Mugabe has been appointed the new Chairman of the African Union, succeeding Mauritania’s President, H.E. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, at the opening session of the 24th Assembly of Heads of States and Governments, it should be recalled. (SPS)

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