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Deputy MInister Ebrahim Ebrahim holds discussions with the head of Polisario Front Delegation to the negotiation with Morocco
Deputy Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Ebrahim Ebrahim today Friday 9 October 2009 held discussions with the Speaker of the Saharawi National Assembly and Head of the Polisario Front delegation in the negotiation with Morocco Mahfud Ali Beiba in Pretoria. The Speaker of the National Assembly is in South Africa from Thursday – Saturday 8-10 October 2009 to attend the Pan African Parliament Speakers’ Conference at Gallagher Estate, Midrand.
Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim held the discussions with Mr Ali Beiba within the context of South Africa’s continued support for international efforts towards Western Sahara self-determination in accordance with democratic principles and United Nations resolutions.
Speaking on conclusion of the meeting, Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim said that, “the South African government maintains that Africa cannot consider itself free from domination as long as the situation in Western Sahara remains unresolved. Accordingly, President Zuma highlighted the issue at his address of the 64th United Nations General Assembly Debate last month insisting that the people of Western Sahara were entitled to the legitimate right of self-determination.”
In addition, the Deputy Minister expressed his “appreciation of the update on the negotiation processes on the Western Sahara by the Speaker and Head of the POLISARIO delegation in the negotiation and encouraged both parties including the United Nations Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Mr Christopher Ross to continue the process towards finding a just, mutually acceptable and durable solution to the impasse.”
The Deputy Minister reiterated South Africa’s commitment to “render political support and humanitarian assistance to the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic under the African Renaissance Fund.”
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