Budapest, 18 December 2025 (SPS) - The Central and Eastern European Alliance for Solidarity with the Saharawi People (CEE Alliance) has issued a statement, on the occasion of its participation in the 49th Session of the European Conference for Support and Solidarity with the Saharawi People (EUCOCO), demanding uphold of international law in Western Sahara .
This is the full text of the statement:
“Statement
The Central and Eastern European Alliance for Solidarity with the Saharawi People (CEE Alliance) expresses its gratitude for the invitation to the 49th Session of the European Conference for Support and Solidarity with the Saharawi People (EUCOCO), which took place in Paris from 28 to 30 November 2025.
The 49th EUCOCO conference reaffirmed strong support for the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination, demanding an immediate referendum and an end to Morocco's exploitation of Western Sahara's resources, calling for release of political prisoners, and urging EU institutions to uphold UN resolutions against human rights abuses and resource plunder. The meeting mobilized activists, parliamentarians, and civil society to coordinate actions, emphasizing the urgency of resolving the decolonization issue, with a strong focus on holding the UN, France, and Spain accountable.
The Western Sahara conflict pits international law (self-determination of the Sahrawi people, status of non-self-governing territory) to faits accomplis (de facto sovereignty of Morocco since 1975), creating a legal and political impasse in which Morocco exercises administrative and military control while managing the territory, despite UN resolutions and European court rulings requiring a referendum on self-determination that has not been held. Key points include the Spanish withdrawal, the Madrid Accords, the creation of the Polisario Front, MINURSO's mandate for a referendum, the failure of the latter (refusal to include Moroccan settlers), and growing French support for autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, despite international law.
CEE Alliance strongly demands that UN governments to uphold international law and support the long-delayed referendum on self-determination and reject Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal.
- Companies to end the exploitation of Western Sahara’s resources without the consent of its people.
- Media and educators to amplify Saharawi voices silenced by the media blackout on the region.
- Activists and civil society to engage and donate to projects, such as the CEE Alliance’s nonviolent actions.
As we mark fifty years since the Green March, and the recent UN discussions, solidarity with the Saharawi people is more urgent than ever. Their steadfast commitment to dignity, justice, and nonviolence in the face of occupation offers a moral compass for the world. True peace cannot be built on occupation or erasure, it must be grounded in justice and self-determination.
Budapest, 14th December 2025.
Matyas Benyik
President
on behalf of CEE Alliance”.
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