24 Mar 2019

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi is expected to join other SADC Heads of State and Government in South Africa tomorrow(March 26) for the regional block’s solidarity conference with the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).

Saharawi president, Mr Brahim Ghali, embarked on a charm offensive tour of Southern Africa last year and made a three-day official visit to Botswana.

Dr Masisi and Mr Ghali held discussions on issues of mutual interest and expressed satisfaction at the bonds of solidarity that existed between the two countries.

In a communique that was signed by the then international affairs and cooperation acting minister, Mr Machana Shamukuni, and his Saharawi counterpart, Mr Mohamed Ould Salek, Dr Masisi lamented that the people of Western Sahara had endured long years of suffering, turmoil and oppression and suggested that they too like the rest of the African people deserved their right to self-determination, freedom and independence.

In that connection Dr Masisi assured president Ghali of Botswana’s support in their quest for self-determination and independence.

President Masisi would travel to Pretoria as part of the regional bloc’s effort to mobilize international solidarity and support for the plight of the Saharawi republic, as the last colony on the African continent.

In an interview, political analyst and a master’s student of politics and international relations at the University of Botswana, Mr Solly Rakgomo, the SADC conference would be the first time a regional economic community showed its solidarity with the Saharawi people.

“The region’s support is very important and crucial especially when you look at the issues of colonisation. SADC should follow ideals of the AU, that each and every country in Africa should enjoy sovereign status as an independent state. SADC should make sure there is a clear referendum, they should present their own expectations or demands to Morocco,” he said.

Mr Rakgomo noted that the voice of SADC could be heard but lack of action could hamper the process.

He said Morocco was enjoying close working relations and economic privileges in their region and even beyond.

“At the negotiations table Morocco does not want anything to do with independence while Western Sahara want a clause that talks to independence be drawn to the table. That is what has been pulling the two contrasting parties apart,” he said.

Mr Rakgomo said SADC must try to pressurise the AU to find a good solution to this impasse through a negotiated settlement. “It is not going to be easy, Southern Africa may offer words of solidarity but at the end action may prove to be difficult to implement,” he added.

He said the economic interest of Morocco on Western Sahara may also prove difficult to overcome.

According to SADC secretariat’s head of communications and public relations, Ms Barbara Lopi, the 38th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Namibia last year approved convening of this week’s conference on solidarity with the Saharawi people.

Ms Lopi noted in a statement that during the oncoming conference, SADC leaders would express the region’s support for decolonisation and self-determination for Western Sahara on the basis of the values and principles that have guided the quest for independence throughout Africa. ENDS