Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 13-12-2017
International human rights and climate activist Catherine Constantinides has written an open letter to Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa urging him to ensure that South Africa does not re-establish diplomatic ties with Morocco.
In the letter, Contantinides says Morocco must accede to the legitimate demands and inalienable right to self-determination for the people of Western Sahara and that the kingdom has no valid claim to the territory of which it has illegally occupied for 42 years.
Constantinides says despite the turmoil, South Africa continues to have cordial relations with Morocco which has flagrantly abused international law.
“It is troubling that South Africa, as one of the longest standing allies of Western Sahara, also known as SADR (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic), would now choose to exchange ambassadors with a country that has repeatedly demonstrated its profound contempt for international law and the United Nations (UN), and remains a brutal occupying power.”
Constantinides says South Africa must remain resolute in its policy and resolutions for self-determination of the Sahrawi people and instead of re-establishing diplomatic ties.
“Let our action call for a return to direct negotiations with the Frente Polisario, the internationally recognised representative of the Sahrawi people, towards holding a referendum as soon as possible.”
Constantinides has called on Morocco to accept without reservation a schedule proposed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres with the aid of The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara” (MINURSO), the organisation of a referendum allowing the Sahrawi people to exercise their legitimate right to self-determination unambiguously and in a democratic manner.
Read the complete open letter to Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa
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