By Maureen Okon
The Sarhawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) has sought Nigerian Government’s support in fight to gain self-determination, while urging the African Union ((AU) to intervene on Western Sahara conflict.
Mr Mohamed Beissat, the Minister of Foreign and African Affairs of SADR, called on Nigeria and the AU to play a more decisive role in resolving the Western Sahara conflict.
Beissat made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.
He said that the situation on ground was deteriorating amid ongoing hostilities and human rights violations.
He said during this trip, he had delivered a written message to President Bola Tinubu, which was well received by Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
According to him, Nigeria remains a backbone of African unity.
He expressed gratitude for Nigeria’s historic support for the Sahrawi cause.
The minister said that Nigeria has always played a role in defense of justice, international law, peace and African solutions for African problems.
He highlighted Nigeria’s role as a powerhouse in the AU, adding that it was the biggest country in terms of economic muscle, population, military capacity and it is the backbone of African unity.
Speaking on trade and economic cooperation, Beissat said that bilateral relations between both countries remained weak, adding that there is political determination to strengthen ties.
“We have the political will and the political determination to keep strengthening the bilateral relations on all levels, from political, economic, and any kind of bilateral relations,” he said.
On the conflict with Morocco, Beissat said that the Polisario Front had participated in three rounds of direct negotiations facilitated by the United Nations (UN) and the United States.
He said that the negotiations were in line with UN Resolution 2797 which called for a mutually acceptable political solution providing for self-determination.
He, however, said that the process was being undermined by continued fighting since Morocco’s 2020 offensive.
“Since the Moroccan aggression of 2020, the war is going on, and the two armies are engaged almost in daily acts of war.
“I also appeal for the release of Sahrawi political prisoners in Moroccan jails.
“I also appeal for the release of Sahrawi political prisoners in Moroccan jails. A human rights defender, Mr Naama Asfari, has been on hunger strike for 46 days.
“I urge all peace-loving and justice-loving people in the world to do whatever they can to save the life of Asfari,” he said.
The Minister urged the AU to exact pressure on Morocco to accept the union’s mediation in the dispute.
According to him, the AU’s 1980s resolution provides the basis for the UN settlement plan and referendum.
“The last AU position was the Johannesburg resolution on silencing the guns, which asked for an immediate ceasefire and direct talks to prepare for a referendum, but Morocco disrespected the AU directive.
“Sahrawi is rich with natural resources. Some of the world’s largest deposits of phosphate, iron, copper and gold, as well as rich fisheries and huge potential for solar, gas and oil deposit.
“The Sahrawi republic is ready to put them to use for the benefit of all the people of the region and of the continent, ” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman