Sahrawi Republic and SADC sign a MoU to strengthen political support for the liberation of Western Sahara

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), have taken a significant step in reinforcing their commitment to decolonisation and self-determination, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the SADC Secretariat Headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana past Wednesday 02 April 2025.

His Excellency Mr. Elias M. Magosi, the Executive Secretary of SADC, and His Excellency Mr. Bah El Mad Abdellah, Ambassador of the Sahrawi Republic to the Republic of Botswana and Permanent Representative to SADC, signed the MoU, marking a major milestone in the longstanding solidarity and cooperation between SADC region and the Sahrawi people.

The MoU aims to implement the resolutions adopted by the SADC Heads of State and Government in August 2019 concerning Western Sahara, as well as the Declaration of the SADC Solidarity Conference with te Sahrawi Republic held in March 2019 in Pretoria, South Africa.

H.E. Magosi reaffirmed SADC’s unwavering solidarity with the Sahrawi Republic and the people of Western Sahara, acknowledging their daily struggles and enduring quest for self-determination.

He emphasized that Western Sahara remains the only African territory still under colonial rule, as listed by the United Nations in its decolonisation framework.

“The signing of this MoU is a testament to SADC’s strong commitment to supporting SADR/Western Sahara in achieving the fundamental right to determine its own future,” Magosi stated.

Ambassador El Mad Abdellah praised the agreement as a crucial step towards strengthening cooperation, solidarity, and shared values between the two parties.

He highlighted that the MoU represents a shared commitment to furthering collaboration and bolstering the Sahrawi people’s rights and aspirations.

Bah El Mad also expressed confidence in SADC’s potential to leverage its history of anti-colonial struggles to advocate for the Sahrawi cause.

He urged the regional bloc to use diplomatic channels, raise global awareness, and apply pressure on international bodies to recognize the Sahrawi people’s political aspirations, thereby accelerating its path to sovereignty and independence.

The signing ceremony was attended by key SADC officials, including the Director of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs, Professor Kula Ishmael Theletsane, SADC Legal Counsel Dr. Phineas Matto, and SADC Electoral Support Officer Mr. Elijah Munyuki.

The event builds on commitments made during the March 26, 2019, Solidarity Conference with Western Sahara in Pretoria, where Heads of State, leaders of African liberation movements, political parties, civil society organizations, and other institutions pledged to advocate for Western Sahara’s decolonisation in multilateral and bilateral engagements.

This MoU reinforces SADC’s enduring dedication to supporting Western Sahara’s pursuit of self-determination, aligning with the principles of international law, African solidarity, and the broader global movement against colonialism.