Ireland Reaffirms Commitment to International Legitimacy on Western Sahara Decolonization

Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee, reaffirmed her country’s commitment to international legitimacy on the decolonization of Western Sahara, stressing that Ireland’s position on the Sahrawi issue has been and will remain supportive of a just and lasting political solution that guarantees the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.

The remarks came in response to a written parliamentary question from Sinn Fein’s Deputy Donnchadh O Laoghaire, who urged the government to exert international pressure to secure the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.

McEntee said that “Ireland’s engagement on this issue will continue, by relying on the role of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura,” adding that “any solution must respect the principles and objectives of the United Nations Charter, including the fundamental right of peoples to self-determination.” On this basis, the minister said that “Ireland will continue to support UN-led efforts to reach a solution to this long-standing conflict. Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Ireland’s diplomatic mission network will maintain contact with the parties involved.” Close monitoring of any relevant developments will also be maintained, including within the framework of European Union and United Nations discussions, the Irish minister added.

Ireland has on multiple occasions reaffirmed its support for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination, maintaining that Western Sahara is a decolonization issue under the relevant UN resolutions.