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The Southern African Development Community (SADC) celebrated its 44th anniversary on August 17 and 18 in Zimbabwe. To mark the occasion, Algeria hosted a ceremony yesterday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended by ambassadors from SADC member states.
Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf addressing the gathering, expressed strong support for the Polisario Front. He stated, «Over time, certain countries have tended to accept, or even condone, the colonial fait accompli in Western Sahara. However, facts are stubborn, and regardless of the positions taken by others, Western Sahara remains a decolonization issue. The Saharawi people have an inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with international law».
Attaf praised the «constant collective solidarity» of SADC members towards Western Sahara, which he described as «the last colony in Africa denied its inalienable right to self-determination».
The Sahara question has seen a significant evolution in the positions of SADC member states in recent years. Morocco has successfully convinced five countries – the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Eswatini, Comoros, and Malawi – to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and open consulates there.
Madagascar has not yet followed suit but expressed support for Morocco's efforts towards a settlement of the Sahara issue. Seychelles has adopted a similar stance.
Conversely, South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe continue to support the Polisario and maintain diplomatic relations with the self-proclaimed «SADR».
