Madrid (Spain), 15 November 2026 (SPS) – The conference of European Coordination for Support and Solidarity with the Sahrawi People (EUCOCO) on Saturday reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination and independence, calling for the protection of human rights in occupied Western Sahara and an end to the plundering of Sahrawi natural resources.
In its final statement, issued at the conclusion of its 50th conference held in Madrid on 13–14 November, EUCOCO described the non-renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) as unacceptable, stressing that the mission was entrusted with completing the decolonisation process through a self-determination referendum.
The conference commended the Sahrawi people's resilience and steadfastness in refugee camps, the occupied territories and the diaspora, urging the international community to take concrete measures to guarantee their exercise of the right to self-determination and independence in accordance with international law.
It also welcomed the recent statement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres reaffirming the United Nations' commitment to fulfilling its mandate to complete the decolonisation of Western Sahara.
Expressing concern over systematic human rights violations and the situation of Sahrawi political prisoners, EUCOCO called on the United Nations to ensure human rights protection in the occupied territories and urged Morocco to release Sahrawi political prisoners, end the plundering of natural resources, and allow international observers and organisations access to the territory.
The conference further called on Spain to honour its obligations to ensure the Sahrawi people's full right to self-determination in accordance with United Nations and African Union resolutions.
It also praised Algeria's principled position and steadfast support for the Sahrawi people's struggle, highlighting its significant participation and contribution to the success of the conference.
