By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) has appealed to Nigeria and the African Union (AU) to play a more active role in resolving the decades-long Western Sahara conflict while seeking stronger bilateral relations with Africa’s largest economy.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Affairs of the Sahrawi Republic, Mohamed Yeslem Beysat, made the appeal during his visit to Nigeria as Special Envoy of President Ibrahim Ghali, where he delivered a written message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye.
Speaking during an interview with journalists , Beysat disclosed that the meeting provided an opportunity to review bilateral relations and explore ways of strengthening cooperation.
He expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s longstanding support for justice, international law, peace, and African-led solutions to African challenges.
According to him, although trade relations between both countries remain weak, there is strong political will on both sides to deepen cooperation across political, economic, and other areas of mutual interest.
The Minister also briefed Nigerian officials on the current situation in Western Sahara, particularly ongoing diplomatic efforts under the United Nations.
He explained that the Sahrawi Republic and the Kingdom of Morocco had participated in three rounds of direct negotiations in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2797, which calls on both parties to engage in negotiations without preconditions to achieve a mutually acceptable political solution that guarantees the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
He said the Sahrawi Republic remains committed to engaging constructively with the mediation efforts of the United Nations and the United States.
However, he alleged that the conflict on the ground has continued since what he described as Morocco’s aggression in 2020, with both sides engaged in almost daily military confrontations.
He also raised concerns over the humanitarian situation in the occupied territories, particularly the condition of Sahrawi political prisoners held in Moroccan prisons.
He drew attention to the hunger strike by human rights defender Naama Asfari, saying the activist had spent 46 days without food and expressing fears for his life and those of other detainees.
He appealed to the international community and human rights advocates to press Morocco through peaceful means to protect the lives of the prisoners.
The minister further alleged that while Morocco publicly expresses willingness to negotiate, it continues to detain Sahrawi activists and deny them basic rights, including access to medical care, education and communication with their families.
Tracing the origin of the peace process, Beysat said it began with an Organisation of African Unity (OAU) resolution that proposed a referendum for the people of Western Sahara.
He said the resolution was later adopted by the United Nations General Assembly and became the foundation of the UN-OAU settlement plan aimed at reaching a political solution.
According to him, Morocco has rejected the proposals and frustrated efforts to implement them.
He cited the African Union’s Johannesburg Resolution on “Silencing the Guns,” which calls for an immediate ceasefire and direct negotiations between the parties as a basis for resolving the conflict.
Beysat criticised Morocco for, according to him, rejecting any meaningful role for the African Union in the peace process.
He alleged that Morocco had closed AU offices in the Sahrawi capital, prevented visits by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Pan-African Parliament, and insisted that the matter should remain exclusively under the United Nations.
He maintained that the African Union should play a leading role because the conflict involves two African states and concerns African territory.
Beysat described Nigeria as a historic supporter of the Sahrawi Republic and a major force within the African Union because of its economic strength, population and military capacity.
He said Nigeria has consistently championed liberation movements and decolonisation across Africa, adding that Nigerian officials reaffirmed their solidarity with the Sahrawi Republic and support for African-led solutions.
The minister also attributed the prolonged dispute partly to Western Sahara’s abundant natural resources, including phosphate, iron, copper, gold, fisheries, solar energy, as well as oil and gas potential.
He said the Sahrawi Republic is prepared to utilise those resources for the benefit of Africa rather than allowing them to be exploited by external interests.
“We do not seek miracles or extraordinary concessions,
“We only ask for the implementation of international law, the decisions of international courts, the Constitutive Act of the African Union and the Charter of the United Nations,”he added.
He insisted that the Sahrawi people are entitled to freedom, self-determination and dignity, urging the international community to ensure the implementation of legal decisions recognising those rights.
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