Algerian foreign minister regrets frequent obstacles to self-determination process in Western Sahara

Oran (Algeria), December 9, 2014 (SPS) – Algerian Foreign Minister, H.E. Ramtane Lamamra, regretted Tuesday in Oran, the obstacles that hinder the process of holding the self-determination referendum for the Saharawi people.

“The many obstacles hindering the holding of Western Sahara self-determination referendum have repeatedly dead-locked this process,” Mr. Lamamra said in an opening statement to the second high-level seminar on peace and security in Africa.

The minister recalled that neither the UN special envoy Christopher Ross was able to visit the region as he wish, nor the head of MINURSO Kim Balduc, could take office. “The prospect of self-determination has not been determined almost 40 years after the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on this question of decolonization,” he stressed.

Lamamra also expressed Algeria’s support to the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his special envoy Christopher Ross. “We are convinced that, thanks to the appointment of the African Union personnel envoy, President Chissano, this cooperation could further mobilize the international community in favor of peace, justice and security for all “he stressed.

The Head of the Algerian Diplomacy further welcomed the “significant” achievements represented by the deployment of MINURSO and the observation of the cease-fire between the parties to the conflict, Morocco and the Frente Polisario.