Portugal Hosts 48th Eucoco Conference in Support of Sahrawi People’s Rights
The 48th European Conference for Support and Solidarity with the Sahrawi People (Eucoco) is set to take place in Lisbon, Portugal, from November 28 to 30, 2024. This event aims to serve as a renewed platform for advocating the legitimate rights of the Sahrawi people, which have been violated for nearly five decades, while condemning the injustices they face.
Since its establishment in 1975, this annual conference has rotated among various European cities, including Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Brussels, and Madrid. It is recognized as the “most significant” event within the international solidarity movement dedicated to the Sahrawi cause. This year, participants from around the world are gathering in Portugal, drawn by its revolutionary history marked by the fight against dictatorship and colonialism.
The choice of Portugal as the host coincides with the 50th anniversary of the “Carnation Revolution” on April 25, 1974, which effectively ended the dictatorship in the country and initiated the process of Portuguese decolonization in Africa, particularly in Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, and East Timor.
In line with this historical context, the theme for this year’s conference will be: “Europe and Africa, Two Continents United to Defend the Self-Determination and Independence of Western Sahara, the Last Colony in Africa.”
Attendees, including parliamentarians, academics, journalists, experts, and representatives from civil society, will explore mechanisms to bolster support for the Sahrawi people’s rightful struggle against Moroccan occupation, allowing them to exercise their right to self-determination and independence.
The discussions will also focus on improving coordination efforts and formulating an action plan for 2025, taking into account a strategic analysis of the current situation in Western Sahara, the broader region, and the international landscape.
Moreover, there will be an emphasis on the legitimacy of the Sahrawi cause and the urgent necessity to expedite the organization of a self-determination referendum for the Sahrawi people.
A range of topics will be addressed, including the enhancement of the Sahrawi state’s status, human rights concerns, and developments in the legal battle waged by the Sahrawis against the exploitation of their natural resources by the Moroccan occupier. The meeting will also highlight the human rights situation in the occupied Sahrawi territories.
Furthermore, participants will work towards strengthening the international solidarity network supporting the Sahrawi cause, encompassing parliamentary levels (regional, national, European, and continental) and fostering town twinning agreements.
Special attention will be given to developing effective information and media strategies to amplify the voices of the Sahrawi people.
The conference will feature events organized by unions in solidarity with the Sahrawi people, including delegations from Africa (notably Sahel countries), Latin America, and Europe. They will advocate for a boycott of Moroccan products and participate in sessions led by representatives of the European Movement for Solidarity with the Sahrawi People.
