Heraldonline.co.zw, May 26, 2025
The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), known as Africa’s last colony because of an illegal occupation by Morocco since its independence from Spain in 1975, has the political, diplomatic and legal support from the African Union (AU) and other bodies on its right to self-rule. As Africa celebrates this year’s unity under the theme “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations”, Zimpapers Politics Hub’s Gibson Nyikadzino (GN) had an interview with SADR’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Louali Moussa Zaoui (LMZ) on how the AU’s theme fits into the Sahrawi’s cause. Below are the excerpts:
GN: On April 2, SADC and SADR signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). What are its contents and how does it speak to your cause?
LMZ: The MoU seeks to operationalise the decisions made by SADC Heads of State and Government in August 2019 concerning Western Sahara. The signing of this MoU is a significant development in the ongoing struggle for Western Sahara’s independence and it demonstrates a collective effort by African nations to address the historical injustices of colonialism and support the rights of the Sahrawi people. This agreement serves as a testament to the enduring solidarity within Africa for the cause of self-determination and advocate for international recognition, and I think that this agreement positions SADC to actively promote the Sahrawi cause in various international forums, encouraging broader recognition of SADR’s sovereignty and strengthen regional solidarity.
GN: How does it spell out SADC’s commitment to your right to self-rule?
LMZ: The MoU reflects a shared commitment among SADC member states to uphold the principles of decolonisation, support for liberation movements across the continent, enhance diplomatic engagements and provides a structured approach for SADC to engage with international bodies and partners on issues related to Western Sahara. Finally, it demonstrates that the SADC region will not forget or neglect the plight of the people of SADR/Western Sahara, their daily struggle for survival, and their ultimate hope of exercising their right to self-determination.
GN: There are political and legal resolutions announced by the AU and the European Union (EU) High Court regarding SADR’s claim of justice. What is your approach to such developments?
LMZ: The AU legal and political positions have been always in line with international law. The AU reaffirms the principle that colonial borders must be respected based on the 1964 Cairo Declaration, which places Western Sahara’s right to independence within a legal framework. The AU bodies have repeatedly called Morocco’s control of Western Sahara a form of occupation and backs the longstanding referendum of self-determination, which Morocco has continually resisted. When it comes to the EU High Court decision, it is a clear and strong ruling that validates the Sahrawi people’s claim to justice by recognising their distinct status and emphasising their right to self-determination. It also challenges international agreements that ignore the Sahrawi people’s consent and further framing Moroccan presence as a violation of international law. These rulings don’t resolve the conflict, but they provide powerful legal tools and diplomatic leverage to keep the cause of Western Sahara on the global justice agenda.
GN: Since 1991, there have been delays to the United Nations (UN) referendum mandate on Sahrawi’s right to self-determination. How does the delay affect the claim to SADR’s justice and reparations narrative?
The three-decade delay of the UN referendum on self-determination in Western Sahara has had deep and far-reaching impacts on the region’s justice and reparation narrative. Its delay has meant that the core principle of international law — self-determination — remains unfulfilled. This ongoing denial delegitimises international commitments and undermines the credibility of the UN, especially in the eyes of Sahrawis and other occupied peoples. This is so because it denies a promised political right and weakens the legitimacy of international institutions, sustains human suffering and marginalisation. At the same time, it allows illegal resource exploitation, and undermines peace efforts which could lead to renewed conflicts as the case of Western Sahara.
GN: How is the delay affecting the Sahrawi people’s quest for freedom, equality and sovereign rule?
LMZ: The delay has entrenched Moroccan control over most of Western Sahara, turning what was a temporary occupation into a de facto annexation. For the Sahrawi people, this has meant exile, displacement and separation of families, systemic discrimination and limited freedoms in Moroccan-controlled areas. The longer the referendum is delayed, the more normalised the status quo becomes, making justice harder to achieve.
Let me conclude by saying that it shifts the Western Sahara issue from a decolonisation case to a prolonged case of structural injustice, with mounting moral and legal pressure on the international community to act.
GN: How has Zimbabwe’s support for SADR’s cause been translated towards justice in political or diplomatic terms?
LMZ: Zimbabwe has been a strong and consistent supporter of the Western Sahara, the Sahrawi Republic and its people’s right to self-determination. This solidarity is rooted in Zimbabwe’s own liberation history and anti-colonial stance. Let’s break down how Zimbabwe’s support has materialised politically and diplomatically, and how it has contributed to justice and legitimacy for the Sahrawi cause:
Firm diplomatic recognition of the SADR: Zimbabwe officially recognises SADR as the legitimate representative of the people of Western Sahara. This recognition provides state-level legitimacy to SADR within Africa and the international community. Zimbabwe has hosted Sahrawi leaders and officials, strengthening bilateral ties and reinforcing SADR’s presence as a sovereign state.
Advocacy within the African Union (AU): Zimbabwe has consistently voted in favor of Sahrawi self-determination within AU platforms and it has opposed Morocco’s re-admission into the AU (in 2017) unless Morocco accepted the AU’s stance on Western Sahara’s independence. Zimbabwe supports the AU position that Western Sahara remains the last colony in Africa and must be decolonised through a referendum.
Pressure on multilateral institutions: Zimbabwe, alongside other supportive African nations, has pushed back against international double standards especially those of the UN and EU-by demanding action and follow-through on the promised referendum. This contributes to sustained international pressure on Morocco and its allies and I would proudly like to thank and commend His Excellency President Mnangagwa who made it crystal clear in his statement which I quote: “Africa’s independence would not be complete until Western Sahara is free.”