The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) has called on Nigeria and the African Union (AU) to play a more active role in resolving the Western Sahara conflict and supporting the Sahrawi people’s quest for self-determination.
The Minister of Foreign and African Affairs of the SADR, Mr Mohamed Beissat, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.
Beissat said the situation in Western Sahara continued to deteriorate amid ongoing hostilities and alleged human rights violations, stressing the need for stronger regional and international intervention.
He disclosed that during his visit to Nigeria, he delivered a written message to President Bola Tinubu, which he said was received on the President’s behalf by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye.
According to the minister, Nigeria has historically played a significant role in promoting African unity, justice, international law and peaceful, African-led solutions to continental challenges.
He expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s longstanding support for the Sahrawi cause, describing the country as a key pillar of the African Union because of its economic strength, population, military capacity and leadership role on the continent.
Speaking on bilateral relations, Beissat acknowledged that economic and trade cooperation between Nigeria and the SADR remained limited but expressed optimism that both countries could deepen their engagement.
“We have the political will and the political determination to keep strengthening the bilateral relations on all levels, from political, economic and every other area of cooperation,” he said.
On the Western Sahara conflict, Beissat said the Polisario Front had participated in three rounds of direct negotiations facilitated by the United Nations (UN) and the United States.
He said the talks were conducted in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2797, which calls for a mutually acceptable political solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
However, he alleged that the peace process had been undermined by renewed hostilities following Morocco’s military operation in 2020, adding that armed confrontations between the two sides continued almost daily.
The minister also appealed for the release of Sahrawi political prisoners held in Moroccan prisons.
He specifically called attention to the case of Sahrawi human rights defender, Mr Naama Asfari, whom he said had been on a prolonged hunger strike, urging the international community and advocates of peace and justice to support efforts to safeguard his life.
Beissat further urged the African Union to intensify efforts to persuade Morocco to accept the continental body’s mediation in resolving the dispute.
According to him, the AU’s earlier resolutions laid the foundation for the UN Settlement Plan and the proposed referendum on the future status of Western Sahara.
He cited the AU’s Johannesburg Resolution on “Silencing the Guns,” which called for an immediate ceasefire and direct negotiations aimed at preparing for a referendum, alleging that Morocco had not complied with the directive.
The minister also highlighted Western Sahara’s vast natural resource potential, including phosphate, iron ore, copper, gold, fisheries and renewable energy resources.
He said the Sahrawi Republic was prepared to harness those resources for the benefit of the people of the region and the African continent once the conflict is resolved.
Source:NAN
