… Despite Morocco’s threats over ‘Caprivi Strip’
By Eliaser Ndeyanale
DESPITE threats by the Kingdom of Morocco to institute an investigation into Namibia’s domination of what was once known as the Caprivi Strip, the Land of the Brave has reaffirmed its support for the self-determination of the Sahrawian people.
In June, President Hage Geingob revealed that Morocco was reportedly planning to pass a motion to investigate Namibia over its domination of the Caprivi Strip, as the North African country apparently believes that the strip, now situated in the Zambezi region, is an independent country.
Morocco annexed Western Sahara in 1975, and has since been resisting all efforts by the Saharawi people to regain their right to self-determination and independence.
Speaking at the Diplomatic Corps Bi-Annual Briefing this week, International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is also the country’s Deputy Prime Minister, said that Namibia continues to reaffirm its solidarity with the people of Palestine and Western Sahara, on the right to self-determination.
She said that colonialism represents one of the most serious violations of national sovereignty of states and is in breach of international law.
Nandi-Ndaitwah added that foreign occupation creates an environment in which the occupied people are exposed to a wide range of systemic and gross violations of human rights and freedoms, including dispossession, displacement and the denial of their right to self-determination.
“Against this background, Namibia continues to reaffirm its solidarity with the people of Palestine and Western Sahara, and call for the full implementation of all relevant United Nations resolutions on Palestine, as well as the UN Settlement Plan for Western Sahara.
“Furthermore, in welcoming the admission of the Kingdom of Morocco into the African Union family, Namibia expects the Kingdom of Morocco to fully abide by the provisions of the AU Constitutive Act, in particular its principle on the right to self-determination.
“In this connection, Namibia will continue to contribute to the work of the committee on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, which we are happy to serve on,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah added that Namibia believes that all AU member states should work together to encourage the Kingdom of Morocco and the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic to engage in direct and serious talks, and extend the necessary cooperation to the AU policy organs, the commission and the AU High Representative for Western Sahara.
“We are encouraged by the work of the AU Peace and Security Council on this issue and we look forward to the continued cooperation between the AU and UN on the question of Western Sahara, and other issues of common concern,” she added.