Geneva, 5 March 2024 – South Africa has reiterated its strong support for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination and called for an acceleration of the decolonisation process of Western Sahara, Africa’s last colony.
Speaking at the UN Human Rights Council, South Africa’s permanent representative in Geneva, Mxolisi Nkosi, deplored the lack of access of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to the occupied towns of Western Sahara. Nkosi urged the OHCHR to “send a mission to assess the grave human rights situation in the territory”.
Strong position in support of Sahrawi self-determination
South Africa’s position on Western Sahara is based on the position of the African Union (AU), which has unanimously supported the self-determination of the Sahrawi people, in accordance with AU decisions and UN Security Council resolutions.
South Africa recognised the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in September 2004 and has maintained diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level with the country since then.
Call for urgent action
South Africa’s statement at the Human Rights Council highlights the growing international concern over the situation in Western Sahara. The international community must join South Africa and the AU in calling for a just and lasting decolonisation process that will enable the Saharawi people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination.
