Namibia calls on African Union for decolonization of Western Sahara :

Kampala (Uganda), July 24, 2010: The Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Namibia, Mr. Utoni Nujoma, called on the African Union countries to give more support to the decolonization of Western Sahara, stressing that the right to self-determination is a fundamental human right enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

Mr. Nujoma said in a speech before the 17th Ordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council, which was started Thursday in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, that "it is a matter of condemnation, after a decade since the advent of twenty-first century; colonialism is still an issue facing the African Union."

In this regard, he indicated that the delegation of his country, "notes with satisfaction paragraphs 150-152 of the report (presented to the Executive Council), relating to the situation in the Western Sahara." He also takes into account the terms of the Tripoli Plan of Action, which reiterated the commitment of Africa to hold a referendum of self-determination that would allow the people of Western Sahara to decide its own future."

Mr. Nujoma said that "Namibia considers that the AU could do more to enable the people of Western Sahara to exercise its inalienable right to self-determination.
He asserted that Africa "will not be free unless the people of Western Sahara have its freedom," and that "it is the duty of Africa to help the people of Western Sahara in its quest for freedom and independence."

Mr. Nujoma concluded that his country "demands the immediate and unconditional application of the United Nations settlement plan in Western Sahara as well as Security Council and General Assembly resolutions aimed at holding a free and fair referendum in Western Sahara.

Source:(SPS)