“We stand in solidarity with Western Sahara”

New York (The United Nations) 21 October 2020 (SPS)- Botswana reaffirmed its solidarity with the people of Western Sahara, as the last colony in Africa, in its statement this week before the 75thSession of the UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee.

“In this connection, Botswana stands in solidarity with the people of Western Sahara, the last colony on the African continent,” Botswana representative asserted, stressing that “the parties involved ought to work towards achieving a peaceful, just, and lasting solution in conformity with relevant General Assembly and Security Council resolutions.”

He further called on “the Secretary-General to expedite the process of appointing a new Personal Envoy for Western Sahara and to relaunch the peace process.” Botswana, the statement adds, “supports the inalienable right to selfdetermination of colonised peoples in Non-Self-Governing Territories.”

“We note that the exercise of the right to Self-determination is not only a political question, but it also accords colonised peoples an opportunity to decide the fate of their societies and economies,” the statement further reads.