Saharawi National Radio interview with ambassador Maqetuka on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary on the proclamation of SADR, 27 february 2009

1. How would you estimate the relationships and level of cooperation of your country with other countries, in particular the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)?

Through is various bilateral and multilateral relations, South Africa is committed to promoting the African Renaissance and the creation of a better world for all. This means contributing to the formulation of international law and enhancing respect for the provisions thereof as well as promoting multilateralism to secure a rule-based international system. It is in this context that South Africa supports the inalienable right of the Saharawi people to self-determination.

Of course we as South Africa know only too well  through our very own struggle for self-determination which the Saharawi people under the exemplary leadership of the Polisario Front lent their comradely support to, the suffering being endured by the Saharawi people and will continue to lend our solidarity and political support to their cause.

Let me also mention that since South Africa officially recognised SADR in 2004, our two countries have endeavoured to strengthen their bilateral ties that have been personified by capacity building projects through regular interaction by our two governments at senior level. We further expect that our countries will soon launch a formal structure of cooperation which will mediate bilateral interaction between our two countries.

2. Would you, please, explicate to the listeners of the Saharawi National Radio and the public opinion in our country, the principles and basis on which your country supports the liberation causes around the world, in particular the Western Sahara?

As you would know the people and liberation movements of South Africa know only too well that freedom in South Africa would not have been possible without the support and solidarity of the international community including the people of Western Sahara for our cause. It is in the same internationalist spirit of solidarity that we lend our support to just causes around the world against injustice, be it human rights abuses, unfair discrimination of any sort, disregard for international law , inequality and of course illegal occupation and colonialism. It is within this context that South Africa has a vision of an African continent, which is prosperous, peaceful and democratic, non-racial, non-sexual and united, and which contributes to a world that is just and equitable.

3. On the occasion of the commemoration of the proclamation of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), what is your message to the Saharawi people.

I would like to renew the statement of congratulations on the 33^rd commemoration of the proclamation of SADR already issued by the President of the Republic of South Africa, HE Kgalema Motlanthe on 23 February 2009 on behalf of the Government and the people of South Africa to the people and Government of SADR. In his statement President Motlanthe reassured President Mohammed Abdelaziz and the SADR Government of the continued goodwill and desire of South Africa to work towards further strengthening the bilateral relations that exist between our two countries.

4. Your country has diplomatic relationships with many countries of the world, including Morocco. Does this affect your relations with this country?

As you will be aware following the end of apartheid-colonialism in South Africa, we were accepted back within the international community fold and established diplomatic relations with many countries especially those who supported us during our own struggle for liberation, including Morocco which in its own right contributed a great deal to our struggle. As you correctly put it we continue to have diplomatic relations with Morocco. Unfortunately, it is on the question of Western Sahara that we have fundamental differences with Morocco. It is also regrettable that owing to the unresolved question of Western Sahara Morocco is unable to play its due role as a full and active member of the AU.

South Africa as a member of the African Union (AU) whose founding doctrines when it was still known as the Organisation for African Unity (OAU) advocated amongst others the principles of de-colonisation, self-determination, independence and freedom for all states within the African continent. South Africa itself benefited immensely from these positions taken by the OAU in its own struggle for liberation.

For South Africa not to support SADR and its people in their quest for self-determination would constitute a grave betrayal on our very own struggle, of the solidarity Morocco extended to us, and our commitment to respect the Charter of the United Nations and the Constitutive Act of the AU.

We therefore continue to support the SADR based on the following:

• Principle of right to self determination;
• Principle of decolonisation and the acceptance and maintenance  of colonial borders;
• Respect for human rights and humanitarian assistance and support;
• International legality and centrality of the UN in the resolution of the Western Sahara conflict;
• Non-exploitation of natural resources in illegally occupied territories; and
• Peace, security and stability of the Maghreb region

Lastly, as the listeners will be aware South Africa believes in the promotion of multilateralism to secure a rules-based international system. It is in this context that we welcome the appointment of Christopher Ross as the UNSG Special Envoy to Western Sahara in pursuit of a lasting solution within the resolutions of the UN Security Council.

As we speak Mr. Ross is currently in the region which is a signal of renewed hope that the Polisario Front and Morocco will soon resume the 5^th Round of negotiations in good faith. I have no doubt that Mr. Ross is a man of good standing and a seasoned diplomat who is knowledgeable about the region and very familiar with the Western Sahara-Morocco situation. It is our hope that the 5^th Round of Negotiations will be a resounding success.