South African President: We are not free as long as people of Western Sahara remain under occupation and oppression

Cape Town (South Africa), February 13, 2026 (SPS) – South African President Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa affirmed that South Africa does not consider itself truly free as long as the Sahrawi people continue to live under occupation and oppression.

In his address to the nation before both houses of the South African Parliament, while outlining the broad priorities of his government’s program and general policies—particularly in the field of international relations—Cyril Ramaphosa stated that South Africa does not regard itself as free as long as the Sahrawi people suffer from occupation and oppression.

He added that solidarity and the right to self-determination represent sacred principles upon which South Africa’s foreign policy is founded.