Namibia Reaffirms Support for Sahrawi Self-Determination in Diplomatic Talks in Berlin
By Dr. Hana Saada
Western Sahara is classified by the United Nations as a Non-Self-Governing Territory in the Sahel region, bordered by Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania. Its indigenous population, the Sahrawis, speaks Hassaniya Arabic, with Spanish still used in parts of the territory as a legacy of former colonial administration.
The territory’s current political status took shape after Spain’s withdrawal in 1975. Morocco subsequently deployed civilians and military units into the territory in what became known as the “Green March”, establishing de facto control over large areas. Days earlier, the International Court of Justice had concluded that no legal ties of sovereignty existed between Western Sahara and Morocco that would preclude the application of self-determination.
The United Nations Security Council later called for withdrawal from the territory, reaffirming principles prohibiting the acquisition of land by force. The UN General Assembly has consistently maintained that decolonisation must be carried out through the free expression of the will of the people of the territory.
The Polisario Front emerged as the principal Sahrawi political and military movement and was later recognised by the UN General Assembly as the representative of the Sahrawi people. A ceasefire agreement was reached in 1991, leading to the deployment of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), which remains in place.
The United Nations continues to classify Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory pending completion of the decolonisation process, with successive resolutions reaffirming the principle of self-determination.
Against this backdrop, Namibia’s ambassador to Germany, Dr Jerobeam Shaanika, has reiterated his country’s support for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination and independence during a meeting in Berlin.
He received the Polisario Front representative in Germany, Ambassador Mohamed El-Mamoun Ahmed Ibrahim, in discussions focused on developments in Western Sahara.
The talks reviewed recent regional and continental developments and international efforts aimed at achieving a settlement in line with relevant UN resolutions.
Dr Shaanika reaffirmed Namibia’s position, rooted in historical ties between SWAPO and the Polisario Front, and restated continued support for the Sahrawi cause.
Ambassador Mohamed El-Mamoun Ahmed Ibrahim expressed appreciation for Namibia’s stance and its position on self-determination at the international level.
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