Sahrawi Minister of Water and Environment Calls for End to Exploitation of Sahrawi Natural Resources

Adda Brahim Hmeim, Member of the National Secretariat and Minister of Water and Environment, urged African nations to take action against the ongoing colonial situation in Western Sahara, in a statement before participants to the International Conference on Irrigation and Climate Change, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 13 and 14 February 2025.

The Sahrawi Minister called on his counterparts to pressure Morocco into halting the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the occupied areas of the Sahrawi Republic.

Speaking on Wednesday 13th February 2025 at the International Conference on Irrigation and Climate Change, Minister Adda highlighted the significant challenges faced by the Sahrawi people in accessing and developing sustainable irrigation systems.

He attributed these difficulties to inadequate infrastructure, the illegal occupation of large parts of the Sahrawi territory, and the relentless exploitation of natural resources by foreign entities, particularly from Europe.

The Minister underscored the crucial role of irrigation systems in ensuring food security, promoting sustainable agriculture, and enhancing economic resilience across Africa. He pointed out that climate change has exacerbated these challenges, leading to unpredictable rainfall, rising temperatures, and prolonged droughts.

Additionally, the Sahrawi Minister provided an in-depth analysis of the environmental conditions in North Africa, where dry and semi-arid climates make irrigation indispensable for agricultural productivity and climate change mitigation.

He noted that while many countries in the region have invested in large-scale irrigation projects, the Sahrawi Republic remains a pressing and unique case due to the illegal occupation and exploitation of its natural resources by external forces.

“Despite regional advancements, the Sahrawi Republic continues to suffer from systematic resource plundering that deprives its people of the right to build a sustainable and prosperous future,” he concluded.