Society for International Relations Awareness (SIRA), a Civil Society Organisation has urged Morocco, to allow Western Sahara thrive independently as a nation.
Addressing a two day International Conference to End Colonialism in the World, with the theme ‘The Forgotten Peoples: International Conference to Decolonize the World’ in Abuja Nigeria, SIRA President Owei Lakemfa said the continuance of colonial rule in any form is a challenge which elongates the enslavement of individuals and nations.
Lakemfa while spotlighting the long-standing occupation of Western Sahara by Morocco, explained that the issue dates back to Spain’s controversial decision to hand over Western Sahara to Morocco and Mauritania during decolonization.
Whereas, Mauritania eventually withdrew its hold, Morocco has maintained its grip on the territory, leaving the Sahrawi people scattered across occupied lands and refugee camps in Algeria
‘As Morocco continues to push for regional influence, having been rebuffed in its bids to join ECOWA
S and the European Union, calls are growing louder for the nation to reconsider its stance. Nigeria has played a significant role in this effort, having officially recognized Western Sahara’s sovereignty back in 1984, during General Buhari’s tenure as head of state.As momentum builds, the hope is that within the next four to six years, a significant number of these territories will finally achieve self-governance, marking a pivotal step forward in the global push for freedom and equality…’Lakemfa said.
Also speaking, Former Nigeria Foreign Affairs Minister, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, said, as long as many people remain not free under colonialism, none of us can consider ourselves free.
‘United Nation’s resolutions are plenty in terms of supporting the end of colonialism, but they don’t self-implement; therefore, we really have to organize to make sure those territories under colonial rule or not self-governing must be independent as soon as possible.The freedom of all oppressed people, colonized people is p
aramount, without it, international peace and security is truly endangered.Decolonisation needs an Action Plan and an Implementation Plan. Humanity must not endlessly wait for this human scourge to be eradicated…’he said.
Representative of the Western Sahara POLISARIO Liberation Movement in Switzerland and to the UN and International Organisations, Ambassador Oubi Bachir, speaking, called on the African Union to enforce the African Court of Human and Peoples Right September 2022 ruling for Morocco to end its brutal occupation of Western Sahara.
He further called on the European Union to abide by the European Union Court of Justice rulings of 2016, 2018 and 2021 by withdrawing all companies plundering the resources of Western Sahara and recognise Western Sahara and the POLISARIO’s legitimate right to independence.
International lawyer and former President of the West Africa Bar Association, Femi Falana, speaking on: ‘The Legal Implications of Continued Colonialism in the World’, posited that the struggle fo
r the independence of the colonised countries cannot be won without international solidarity and collaboration.
‘…owing to lack of media coverage, all manners of criminal activities are perpetrated by the colonial officials and their home governments. Apart from the ruthless exploitation of the occupied territories, the colonial powers have converted some of them to haven for promoting money laundering, tax evasion and for keeping looted wealth…’ Falana added.
The conference ended with a resolution to develop a common narrative; including calling the colonies by their name and not the United Nation’s preference of Self-Governing Territories.
The participants also called on the UnitedNations to admit colonies, such as Western Sahara, as plenipotentiary Members, just like India and the Philippines were admitted when they were still colonies. They equally resolved that all colonies, including Puerto Rico and Martinique, to be recognised as such by the United Nations.
According to SIRA , about 61 colonies are
still under colonial rule despite commitments by the United Nations to decolonize since 1960.
Source : Voice of Nigeria