Algiers, February 06 2017 (SPS) - Sahrawi Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Salek said Monday in Algiers Morocco adherence to the AU Constitutive Act represented a "legal recognition" of the Sahrawi state and its sovereignty over its territory.
"The adoption by Morocco of the AU Constitutive Act is a legal and clear recognition of the Sahrawi State and its sovereignty over its territory," Ould Salek told a news conference host at the headquarters of the Sahrawi embassy in Algiers.
He was replying to the remarks of Moroccan Deputy Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita that "Morocco will never recognize the Sahrawi Republic."
The "Moroccan king was sitting alongside the Sahrawi president and the African Heads of State; everyone in his country’s official seat. This is a step forward imposed by the Sahrawi people,” he added.
"Faced with fait accompli, Morocco will no longer deal with the Sahrawi Democratic and Arab Republic (SADR) only but with all the African states, the AU and its bodies," Ould Salek said.
"Morocco has suffered a serious failure in its attempts to legitimize its occupation of the Sahrawi territories and its denial of the existence of the SADR after having tried by all means and for more than three decades to undermine the place of the Sahrawi State (...), "said the Saharawi official.
"The accession of Morocco was made in compliance with the AU conditions and in accordance with the principles of its constitution, adopted by Morocco without reservations, hence the need for Morocco to end its occupation of the Sahrawi territories, "he said.
During the 28th AU Summit held on 30-31 January, the AU had decided to admit Morocco as the 55th Member State of the Union, of which SADR is a founding member.
Morocco had left the Organization of African Unity (OAU-current AU) to protest against the admission of SADR as a full member.
Western Sahara is the last colony in Africa, occupied since 1975 by Morocco, supported by France. SPS
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