Foreign Minister Attaf Warns on Western Sahara Self-Determination

Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf delivered a firm warning against efforts to undermine the right to self-determination for the people of Western Sahara and to circumvent international legitimacy. Speaking during the celebration of Algeria's National Diplomacy Day, an event coinciding with the 81st anniversary of the United Nations' founding and Algeria's own accession to the UN, Minister Attaf reaffirmed that the Western Sahara issue remains an unfinished decolonization process.

Minister Attaf emphasized that the people of Western Sahara possess an inherent and inalienable right to self-determination, in line with international law and the United Nations Charter. He cautioned against any attempts to disregard established international legitimacy and the UN's doctrine on decolonization. Furthermore, he highlighted Algeria's opposition to any endeavors to impose or legitimize a fait accompli in the region, asserting that the Sahrawi refugees are a direct consequence of land occupation, not civil conflict, and are advocates for their legitimate right.

This principled stance underpins Algeria's active participation in efforts to formulate a just and enduring political solution for Western Sahara, including engagement following Security Council Resolution 2797. Algeria's commitment is rooted in the belief that a fair resolution would bring justice to the Sahrawi people and foster regional security, stability, and deeper cooperation. Minister Attaf stressed that the right to self-determination is an immutable principle in decolonization and that any deviation from these fundamental tenets would hinder the achievement of a mutually acceptable outcome.