South Africa is “unapologetic” in its support of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in Western Sahara, President Cyril Ramaphosa has said.
He is hosting Brahim Ghali, the visiting leader of Polisario Front – the republic’s pro-independence group.
Western Sahara – a former Spanish colony is considered a “non-self-governing territory” by the United Nations.
[PHOTOS]: His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa receives His Excellency President Brahim Ghali of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic for a State Visit held at the Union Buildings in Tshwane. #SaharawiInSA 🇪🇭🇿🇦#BetterAfricaBetterWorld pic.twitter.com/d9EQ2wabnQ
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) October 18, 2022
Morocco, which controls 80% of the territory and claims ownership on the entire replublic, has clashed with neighbouring Algeria which has backed the Polisario Front since the 1970s after the Spanish left.
“We are concerned about the silence that persists in the world about the struggle for self determination for the people of Western Sahara,” Mr Ramaphosa said on Tuesday.
“It’s a just struggle, it’s a noble struggle, it’s an honourable struggle, a people who want to determine their own destiny though self determination,” said Mr Ramaphosa, drawing comparison with South Africa’s fight against white minority apartheid regime.
Source: BBC