New York, NY – The right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination received strong backing at a high-level plenary meeting held at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting commemorated the 65th anniversary of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, as enshrined in Resolution 1514 (XV) adopted on December 14, 1960.
The event served as a platform for numerous nations to reiterate their unwavering support for the Sahrawi people’s inalienable right to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development.
Several speakers emphasized the importance of completing the decolonization process in Western Sahara, the last remaining colony in Africa, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions. They called for renewed efforts to find a just and lasting solution to the decades-long conflict, one that respects the will of the Sahrawi people.
“The international community has a moral and legal obligation to ensure that the Sahrawi people are able to exercise their right to self-determination without further delay,” stated one representative during the session.
The commemoration of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples provided a timely reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by peoples living under colonial rule. The strong support expressed for the Sahrawi cause underscores the continued relevance of the decolonization agenda and the need for the United Nations to remain actively engaged in resolving outstanding situations.
The Western Sahara issue remains a key point of discussion within the international community, with many hoping for a peaceful and democratic resolution that respects the fundamental rights of the Sahrawi people.
