The UN Decolonisation Committee reaffirmed its belief that self-determination and independence are the inalienable right of all people on Monday with particular reference to the people of Western Sahara, currently living under Moroccan rule.
South Africa's representative condemned the UN's inaction over the issue, describing the UN as "paralysed". Highlighting the thirty year delay in the referendum, originally mandated by the UN Security Council, he called for a renewed affort to hold such a referendum.
Timor-Leste's representative, comparing Western Sahara's struggle for self-determinatnion with Timor-Leste's own struggle for independence, stated that the status quo was 'unacceptable' and it brought 'serious risks to stability'.
The view was echoed by Algeria, Angola and Congo.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Western Sahara, Mr. Mohamed Salem Ould Salek, asserted that the resolution adopted by the UN Fourth Committee on Western Sahara was “an encouraging step towards the acceleration of the decolonization in Western Sahara, despite the obstacles set by Morocco.”
“We reaffirmed determination of our people to continue their struggle until recovering their firm right of self-determination and independence.” added Ould Salek.
See here for reports of massacres of Saharawi people by Morrocan forces.
We need your support
Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.
Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view
We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.
For more ways to donate visit https://donate.tamilguardian.com.
