Self Determination for Western Sahara

                                                       Western Sahara Flag

DILI –  The ambassador of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SDAR) to Timor – Leste Mohamed Slama BADI continue fight for the self determination of the Western Sahara.

Ambassador Mohamed added, Timor Leste – Sahrawi Republic relation refers to the current and historical relations between the Timor Leste and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). The SADR was the first state of the World in establishing formal diplomatic relations with Timor – Leste, after its independence on 20 May 2002, in part due to the long – time strong ties and the historical parallels between the two national liberation movements, FRETILIN and POLISARIO. A Sahrawi embassy was opened in Dili in 2010, during Xanana Gusmao's government.

There are many similarities between these two territories, whose peoples have suffered tremendously from the complicity of the international community. Both were invaded in 1975, when each had 0.43% as many people as their aggressive neighbor. Indonesia and Morocco both received quiet military and diplomatic support from the United States and other Western powers because their strategic importance outweighed the rights of the people they occupied. Both territories received increasing UN attention during the 1990s, half-hearted efforts to resolve the situations without contravening the occupiers’ wishes.

“The Sahrawis people and the Timorese people have many similiarities between the Timorese resistance and the Sahrawis resistance”, ambassador Mohamed told to the Timor Post daily, Wednesday (19/10). 

“Both colonial powers decided to withdraw from Western Sahra and from Timor – Leste almost in the same time in 1975 without organize the referendum for self determination”, he said.

On 3^rd of June 2016, the Government of Timor-Leste offers condolences on the passing of Mohamed Abdelaziz, President of the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic and champion of the fight for the self-determination of the Sahrawi people. Abdelaziz died on Tuesday after a long battle with illness and before seeing a resolution to the 41-year struggle for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. The Government also reaffirms its solidarity with the Sahrawi people, a solidarity arising from common years of struggle.

In 2002, President Abdelaziz visited Timor-Leste and declared “the people of East Timor and the people of Western Sahara are twin peoples” who have “endured the same suffering, made enormous sacrifices, resisted and struggled side by side for their rights to be respected by expansionist neighbors.”

Upon the restoration of Timor-Leste’s independence in 2002 diplomatic relations were immediately established with the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic. On the occasion of Timor-Leste’s welcome as a member of the United Nations, then former president Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão called for “the resumed implementation of the UN plan for a referendum on the Western Sahara's self-determination” noting that “only a just, free and democratic vote like the one held in East Timor can bring to this unjust situation to an end.” This referendum, called for in UN resolutions, is yet to occur.

Timor-Leste accorded full diplomatic representation to the Embassy of the ‘Saharawi Republic’ in Dili, 2010 and continues to raise the plight of the people of Western Sahara. 

Last September in the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister, Rui Maria Araújo, again reminded that “the Saharawi people ... continue to be denied their fundamental rights.”

Spokesperson for the Sixth Constitutional Government, Minister of State Agio Pereira noted “at the time of the passing of President Mohamed Abdelaziz Ezzedine, we offer our condolences and reaffirm our strong and enduring solidarity with the people of Western Sahara as they continue to struggle for their inalienable right to self-determination.”

Frente Polisario for never engaging in terrorism, even during the years of guerrilla warfare against Moroccan occupation forces between 1975 and 1991. The Frente Polisario has observed a ceasefire ever since, despite Morocco breaking its promise to allow for a UN-sponsored referendum.

Polisario's proposal sensibly commits it to accepting the results of a referendum whatever it is. If a free and fair referendum resulted in an autonomy agreement over independence, then that too would constitute a legitimate act of self-determination. Outstanding UN Security Council resolutions explicitly call for such a referendum. Unfortunately, Morocco has explicitly ruled out "the possibility for the independence option to be submitted" in any referendum. (oki)

Reporting was written by Raimundos Oki

A version of this article appears in print on October 20, 2016, on page 21 of the Timor Post edition with the headline: Self Determination for Western Sahara.