The African National Congress (ANC) has reiterated its unwavering support for the Sahrawi people’s inalienable right to self-determination and independence. This position reflects the party’s anti-colonial legacy and its firm condemnation of the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara on both political and moral grounds.
The affirmation came during a session of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), attended by leadership, supporters, and national and international figures.
According to the Sahrawi News Agency (SPS), the party leadership dedicated significant attention to international causes, particularly the Western Sahara conflict. The ANC noted that the process remains deadlocked due to Rabat’s intransigence and obstruction of the UN-sponsored self-determination process.
In his address, South African President and ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa expressed the party’s deep concern over the continued occupation. He called for urgent international action to enable the Sahrawi people to exercise their legitimate right to freedom and independence.
The session served as an opportunity for the ANC to renew its commitment to international solidarity with anti-colonial struggles. This commitment is deeply rooted in South Africa’s own history of fighting apartheid, lending Pretoria’s stance on the Sahrawi cause unique moral authority in the face of Morocco’s attempts to legitimize the occupation through economic and political pressure.
The Polisario Front participated in the session, represented by National Secretariat member Fatima El Mehdi. She conducted a series of high-level meetings with ANC organizations, including First Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane and the secretaries for women’s and youth affairs. She also met with the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on International Relations.
During these discussions, Fatima El Mehdi expressed the Sahrawi people’s gratitude for the ANC’s long-standing solidarity. She emphasized that this support is vital in countering Moroccan policies of repression, resource exploitation, and the attempted erasure of Sahrawi identity in defiance of UN resolutions.
