South Africa vows ‘unapologetic’ support to Western Sahara

20 October 2022

President Cyril Ramaphosa receives President Brahim Ghali of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic for a State Visit held at the Union Buildings in Tshwane. @PresidencyZA

Share this story
  • President Cyril Ramaphosa vowed unapologetic support for the partially recognised Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic in Western Sahara.
  • He said he is concerned about the silence that persists in the world about the struggle for self-determination for the people of Western Sahara.
  • It is a former Spanish colony considered a non-self-governing territory by the United Nations.

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday vowed the government’s “unapologetic” backing for the partially recognised Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in Western Sahara.

The disputed status of Western Sahara – a former Spanish colony considered a “non-self-governing territory” by the United Nations – has pitted Morocco against the Algeria-backed pro-independence Polisario Front since the 1970s.

“We are concerned about the silence that persists in the world about the struggle for self determination for the people of Western Sahara,” Ramaphosa said during a visit by Polisario leader Brahim Ghali to Pretoria.

“We find that other struggles are articulated at a higher decibel… and that is why as South Africans we are clear, we are firm and we are unapologetic in relation to our support for Sahrawi people.

“It’s a just struggle, it’s a noble struggle, it’s an honourable struggle, a people who want to determine their own destiny through self determination,” said Ramaphosa, drawing comparison with the fight against apartheid.

The Polisario Front is campaigning for an independent state in the Western Sahara, a vast stretch of phosphate-rich desert that was controlled by Spain between 1884 and 1975.

The Polisario proclaimed the SADR in 1976, placing it in conflict with Morocco, which considers the Western Sahara to be part of its own territory.

Rabat controls nearly 80% of the territory and is pushing for autonomy under its sovereignty.

The international community has long backed a referendum to be held to decide the territory’s status.

But Morocco rejects any vote in which independence is an option, arguing that only granting autonomy is on the table for the sake of regional security.

The SADR is a member of the African Union and says it has been recognised by more than 80 countries.

The dynamics of the long-simmering conflict changed in 2020 when then United States president Donald Trump recognised Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in exchange for the kingdom’s normalisation of relations with Israel.

(C)  AFP

Last Posts

Leader of Opposition Hon. Dumelang Saleshando whose Botswana Congress Party (BCP) boasts 15 MPs in the 13th Parliament

 A Response to the State of the Nation Address

Share this story

Share this storyBy Hon Dumelang Saleshando Leader of Opposition 21 November 2024 Title: We have crossed the Rubicon: Now what awaits us? A new or old Botswana Mr. Speaker, your Honour the Vice President and…

20 October 2022

State of the Nation Address to the First Meeting of the First Session of the 13th Parliament

Share this story

Share this storyBy Advocate Duma Gideon Boko President of the Republic of Botswana 19th November 2024 Theme: Transforming Botswana for inclusive growth May their souls rest in peace and in their memory, let us forge…

20 October 2022

HB invests 137 Million Pula in Botswana, fuelling the nation’s rise as a diamond powerhouse

Share this story

Share this storyEighteen (18) months after launch, HB is advancing HB Botswana’s processing capacity with a transformative new 137 million Pula investment. This commitment will expand HB’s processing capacity and create hundreds of high-quality jobs,…

20 October 2022

Elephant over-population causes massive destruction of trees, poor food and water supply for all the wildlife_

U.S. Appeals Court’s decision on ivory, Rhino horn sales may signal reopening of international trade

Share this story

Share this story By Emmanuel Koro  Johannesburg,  19 November 2024 In a significant development for a return to a reasonable approach to trade in ivory and rhino horn products,  the U.S. Second Court of Appeals has…

20 October 2022

India in top 10 globally for patents, trademarks and industrial designs

Share this story

Share this storyIndia now ranks among the top 10 countries globally in the number of patents, trademarks and industrial design applications, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) 2024 report on IP trends. The…

20 October 2022

Irina Abramova (Moderator), Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug (Mauritania FM), Sergey Lavrov (Russia FM) and Dr Monque Nsanzabanganwa (African Union Commission) - Pic (TPA)

Russia has never been involved in the exploitation of African peoples – Sergey Lavrov

Share this story

Share this storyThe Pan Afrikanist Watchman At the close of the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum on November 10th 2024 in the Sirius Federal Territory, Sochi, Russia’s veteran Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov…

20 October 2022

Related Stories