Western Sahara Solution Must Involve Sahrawi People, Algeria Says
Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, underscored Algeria's unwavering commitment to the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination. Speaking at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Minister Attaf affirmed that the Western Sahara issue remains a matter of decolonization, emphasizing that it cannot be resolved through a fait accompli. He stressed that any political settlement must guarantee the Sahrawi people's fundamental right to self-determination.
Algeria welcomes the organization of direct negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario Front, which commenced earlier this year under the auspices of the United Nations and with assistance from the United States. Minister Attaf asserted that the success of these negotiations necessitates good faith and sincere will from both parties to achieve a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution. He highlighted that any serious negotiation pathway must align strictly with relevant UN frameworks and the organization's established doctrine on decolonization, warning against any attempts to bypass this framework or marginalize the Sahrawi people and their representative, the Polisario Front.
Minister Attaf reiterated that the self-determination of the Sahrawi people is central to any final resolution of the conflict, noting Algeria's long-standing role in hosting Sahrawi refugees for over half a century. He connected Algeria's principled stance on Western Sahara to its broader vision for reforming the United Nations system, advocating for a more just, representative, and equitable international order. This includes a call for deep reform of the Security Council to eliminate selectivity and double standards in applying international law, along with support for permanent and fair African representation with full powers to correct historical injustices.
During his intervention, Minister Attaf also articulated Algeria's full and unconditional support for the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to establish an independent, sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital. He further addressed regional and global challenges, including the Sahel, Libya, Yemen, and Sudan, emphasizing Algeria's support for political solutions, respect for national sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He also called for a balanced and responsible international regulation of artificial intelligence to ensure equitable access to its benefits while preserving national sovereignty.
