Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), February 15, 2026 (SPS) – The Sahrawi Republic reaffirmed its firm commitment to the principles and foundations of the African Union, mainly the rejection of colonialism in all its forms and the upholding of peoples’ right to self-determination, in a statement delivered by the Sahrawi Prime Minister, Mr. Bouchraya Hamudi Bayoun, during the second day of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Union, held at AU’s headquarters in Addis Ababa on February 14 and 15.
In its address before the summit, the Sahrawi Republic called for the criminalization of all forms of colonialism and racial discrimination, and for the activation of African mechanisms capable of putting an end to the last vestiges of colonialism on the continent.
The Sahrawi delegation stressed that completing Africa’s decolonization process remains a collective responsibility, requiring unity and strengthened solidarity among Member States to safeguard the dignity of African peoples and protect their historic gains.
The Sahrawi Republic was represented at the summit by a delegation led by National Secretariat member and Prime Minister Mr. Bouchraya Hamudi Bayoun, representing the President of the Republic and Secretary-General of the Frente POLISARIO, Mr. Brahim Ghali.
The second day’s sessions were devoted to presenting, discussing, and adopting the reports submitted to the summit, as African leaders reviewed a range of strategic issues related to the continent’s present and future.
At the top of the agenda was the adoption of the 2026 theme, “Water and Sanitation,” as a development priority aimed at advancing sustainability goals, ensuring equitable access to water resources, and improving living conditions for the peoples of the continent.
The summit also discussed the progress report on the implementation of Agenda 2063, the framework of the shared African vision, as well as the 2026 work program, which includes priorities related to strengthening economic integration, consolidating peace and security, and improving institutional performance within the Union’s structures.
The agenda further included the presentation of a report and decision on the criminalization of colonialism and racial discrimination, an issue of particular importance to the Sahrawi Republic in light of the continued suffering of the Sahrawi people under occupation and their deprivation of legitimate rights due to the insistence of the Moroccan occupying state on obstructing all peaceful solutions aimed at completing the decolonization of the occupied territories of the Sahrawi Republic.
Deliberations also addressed international and regional issues, including the Palestinian cause, with African leaders reaffirming the Union’s steadfast position in support of the rights of peoples living under occupation.
During the current summit proceedings, the Sahrawi delegation maintained an active presence through several interventions emphasizing the need to strengthen joint African action and to consolidate the role of the Union’s institutions in addressing political and developmental challenges. The delegation also commented on various reports, including the Peace and Security report and the report on South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
The delegation accompanying the Prime Minister includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mohamed Yeslem Beissat; the Minister of Social Affairs and the Promotion of Women, Ms. Suelma Beiruk; the Permanent Representative to Ethiopia and the African Union, Amb. Lamine Baali; Deputy Permanent Representative, Amb. Malainin Lakhal; and the Embassy’s Press and Cultural Attaché, Mr. Ergueibi Abdallah.
On the sidelines of both the 48th session of the Executive Council and the Summit of Heads of State and Government, the Sahrawi delegation held meetings and interactions with several heads of participating delegations to discuss issues of mutual interest and ways to develop bilateral relations, thereby strengthening the presence of the Sahrawi Republic within the African sphere and serving shared interests. (SPS)
090/500/60 (SPS)
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