Staff Reporter
THE Executive Director (ED) of the Ministry of International Relations, Ambassador Penda Naanda, expressed the Namibian Government’s “deep concern and disappointment” over the recent decision by the French Government to endorse Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
“This decision constitutes a blatant disregard for the principles of international law, particularly the right to self-determination, a longstanding aspiration of the Sahrawi people. Namibia hereby wishes to condemn in the strongest terms the ongoing occupation of Western Sahara by Morocco,” Naanda said.
Western Sahara, considered the last African colony, has been embroiled in a long-running territorial dispute between Morocco and the indigenous Sahrawi people since the 1970s.
Naanda emphasised that by adopting Morocco’s position of full autonomy over Western Sahara, the French Government has become complicit in the ongoing occupation and human rights abuses of the Sahrawi people.
He stressed that the situation in Western Sahara remains a decolonisation issue and cannot be subjected to a bilateral deal that bypasses United Nations (UN) processes. Naanda added that the Namibian Government considers France’s endorsement of Morocco to undermine the decades-long efforts of the UN to find a sustainable, peaceful, and just solution to the question of Western Sahara.
“As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, tasked with the onerous responsibility of maintaining international peace and security, the French decision is highly regrettable and goes against the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. France has lost its credibility,” Naanda said.
He reaffirmed Namibia’s long-standing support for Western Sahara’s right to self-determination.
“The Government of Namibia remains resolute and steadfast in its unwavering support for the legitimate right to self-determination and independence for the people of Western Sahara, and cautions that this type of action by a powerful member of the UN Security Council, motivated by its narrow national interest, can never legitimise foreign occupation. We remain committed to the UN-led peace processes and will continue to work towards a just and lasting solution to the question of Western Sahara,” Naanda added.
Earlier this year, President Nangolo Mbumba also reiterated Namibia’s support for the Sahrawi people’s quest for human rights and independence in Western Sahara during a courtesy meeting with the Special Envoy of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Hamdi El Jalil Aali.
Similarly, the late President Hage Geingob was a strong advocate for Western Sahara’s right to self-determination. While speaking at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York last year, the late President highlighted that Morocco supported Namibia’s right to self-determination during its fight for independence. He, therefore, called on Morocco to extend the same right to the people of Western Sahara.
