Paris, December 14, 2024 – Place de la République was today the scene of a significant mobilization in support of the Sahrawi people. The objective of this gathering was to denounce the position of the French government on the decolonization conflict in Western Sahara, as well as to recall the importance of respecting international law.
The participants, coming from various political and associative backgrounds, expressed unanimous indignation at what they called “French complicity” in the illegal occupation of a territory recognized by the UN as non-autonomous.
A strong call for respect for fundamental rights
The demonstration made it possible to reiterate several major demands:
– The right to self-determination of the Sahrawi people, in accordance with UN resolutions.
– The end of the Moroccan occupation and the immediate release of Sahrawi political prisoners.
– Respect for the decisions of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), in particular those of October 4, 2024, invalidating trade agreements illegally exploiting the natural resources of Western Sahara.
A contested political responsibility
The organizers pointed out the attitude of the French government, accused of encouraging investments in the occupied territories, in violation of European and international principles. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, France was called upon to assume its responsibilities and to stop supporting actions contrary to fundamental rights.
A civic and committed mobilization
The strong participation in this event illustrates the growing solidarity with the Sahrawi people, but also the demand for justice and peace in the Maghreb region. The associations present announced that other awareness-raising actions would be undertaken in the coming months, to maintain pressure on political and economic decision-makers.
This gathering marked a further step towards international mobilization for a fair and lasting solution to the Western Sahara conflict.
The gathering was called by:
Human Rights League – LDH
EuMovement against Racism and for Friendship between Peoples – MRAP
Center for Studies and Initiatives of International Solidarity – CEDETIM
French Communist Party – PCF
PEPS – For a Popular and Social Ecology
Association of Friends of the SADR
ENSEMBLE – Movement for an Alternative of the Ecological and Solidarity Left
Union Syndicale Solidaires
National Confederation of Labor – CNT
New Anti-Capitalist Party – NPA
The Federation of Associations of Solidarity with all Immigrants – FASTI
The French Association of Friendship and Solidarity with the Peoples of Africa – AFASPA
Neo Pan-African Organization of Sovereignty – ONS
Collective Sahrawi associations in France
CMPK – Paris Mobilization Cell for Kanaky
