Saharawis wait patiently for a just solution

Morocco is trying hard to convince the world community of a solution that would legitimise its illegal occupation of our country. Such a solution will be doomed to fail as it is undemocratic and illegitimate, contrary to the aspirations of the Saharawi people and the verdict of the International Court of Justice. It will also be in contravention of the UN decolonisation process, as well as the UN resolutions in support of the right of self-determination for the Saharawi people.

In recent months peaceful demonstrations have been taking place in the occupied areas of Western Sahara to demand respect of human rights and in support of independence for the territory. Morocco’s response was to arrest, torture and jail for long terms, many of the demonstrators and their leaders.

The rejection of Morocco’s presence in the occupied zones by the Saharawis is quite telling. It shows that our people are determined to achieve their legitimate objectives of freedom and independence and that Morocco’s policy of the carrot and stick in the hope of winning the hearts and minds of the Saharawis for the past 30 years has failed dramatically.

The UN mission (MINURSO) mandate expires on October 31 of this year. This is an opportunity for the major powers in the world to encourage a just and lasting solution to a conflict that has been a source of instability and misery for a long time in an important region of the world.

The resolution of the conflict in Western Sahara is easy if there is a sincere will and determination from the members of the UN Security Council. A just solution to this conflict will be of benefit to the peoples of Western Sahara and Morocco. The Maghreb region will enjoy stability, peace and progress which are needed in the current international environment.