Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 24 March, 2014: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, H.E. Salem. O. Salek. They exchanged opinions on a range of topical issues relevant to the Western Sahara issue.

During their meeting, they laid special emphasis on the implementation of the UN Peace Settlement Plan, the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and OAU/AU decisions and declarations, aimed at providing for the self-determination of the Sahrawi people.

The Foreign Minister maintained the right of Sahrawi people to self-determination and the decolonization of their territory. He especially lamented the grave human rights abuses committed against the Sahrawi citizens and the illegal exploitation of their natural resources.

The Chairperson assured the Foreign Minister that the AU will take the necessary steps, as a guarantor of the process, to ensure that the UN and the Security Council take the necessary decisions to ensure progress, and facilitate a resolution that will provide for self-determination of the Saharawi people, based on the UN Charter and international legality.

Jacob Enoh Eben
Spokesperson of the Chairperson