SADR urges Nigerian intervention in self-determination struggle against Moroccan occupation

The government of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) has made an urgent appeal to the Nigerian government and the international community, urging their intervention in its protracted struggle for self-determination and to bring an end to the Moroccan occupation of its territory.

Mohamed Bessat, the Minister of Foreign Relations and Africa Affairs for SADR, made this call on Wednesday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Bessat underscored Nigeria’s significant importance, citing its size, economy, population, military, financial standing, and moral authority within the African continent.

He recalled Nigeria’s historical support for various Portuguese colonies, including Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde, Angola, and Mozambique, in their past struggles for independence.

According to Bessat, Nigeria’s strong presence on the international arena has been instrumental in helping the African continent to close the chapter of decolonization.

“We are pleading to our brothers to continue this well-known tradition of anti-colonial solidarity and Pan-African brotherhood,” Bessat stated. “Nigeria should continue such support until we finish this last chapter of the de-colonization of the continent through the implementation of the Sahrawi right of being a nation.”

SADR is a country in Northwest Africa, geographically located between Mauritania, Algeria, and south of Morocco. Its population is estimated at over 700,000.

Bessat revealed that his visit to Nigeria was at the invitation of Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and was part of the long-standing relations of brotherhood, solidarity, and cooperation between Nigeria and SADR.

The minister highlighted that Morocco is currently occupying almost two-thirds of SADR’s territory.

He noted that the African Union (AU), in collaboration with the United Nations, has been attempting to reach a settlement over the years.

The purpose of his visit to Nigeria, he added, was to brief the Nigerian authorities about the ongoing situation.

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Bessat further asserted that SADR is one of the richest countries in the world, possessing abundant natural resources such as petrol, gas, gold, diamond, and phosphate, among others.

SADR is recognized by 44 UN member states and South Ossetia. It is also notable as one of the two African states where Spanish is a major language, the other being Equatorial Guinea.

Despite its resource potential, SADR faces significant economic challenges, including limited resources and infrastructure, particularly in the parts it controls. A majority of its population resides in refugee camps in Algeria and in the parts of Western Sahara controlled by Morocco.

The dispute over Western Sahara has a long history. In 1975, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion stating that while historical ties existed between the territory and Morocco/Mauritania, these ties did not establish territorial sovereignty or affect the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.

The UN has consistently called for a referendum on self-determination for the people of Western Sahara, a process that has yet to fully materialize.

The UN Security Council regularly renews the mandate for MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara) to monitor the ceasefire and facilitate a political solution.