The Legislative Assembly of the State of São Paulo hosted, on Tuesday night (13), a meeting with the representative of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in Brazil, Ahmed Mulay Ali. Promoted by deputy Guilherme Cortez (Psol), the event sought ways to support the fight for Brazil to recognize the country’s sovereignty. Ahmed Mulay Ali serves as ambassador and represents the Polisario Front, a political group that proclaimed the SADR in 1976 and has since claimed the independence of Western Sahara.
“Alesp is the largest legislative assembly in the country, so we have the responsibility to also influence national decisions and what happens in Western Sahara should concern us. We will use the tools that are within our reach to demand justice and respect for human rights and international law,” said Cortez.
“We are seeking more recognition. That is why we are here in Brazil trying to convince the president to recognize the Sahrawi Republic as he does with Palestine, because we are equal. We have walls, political prisoners, missing people and our territory is occupied, just like Palestine. That is why we are speaking out and seeking support, help and solidarity from everyone to convince the Brazilian government. We continue fighting for our independence against Morocco,” he said.
“No place in the world should be colonized or occupied and we defend, as a principle, the self-determination of peoples. I was surprised by this contradiction of our government in not recognizing the Republic of Sahrawi, especially given our country’s tradition of defending the oppressed peoples of the world,” said Guilherme Cortez. “We will be together until Western Sahara is free and sovereign and our country fulfills its role,” the parliamentarian added.
Following the meeting, Cortez said that the PSOL bench will file a motion of support and solidarity with the Sahrawi people at the International Relations Committee of Alesp. In addition, it will coordinate the sending of two letters to the Federal Executive, one to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and another to the Ministry of Health, asking for help with medicines.
