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The Nigerian Movement for the Liberation of Western Sahara (NMLWS) informs the world that war broke out today, Friday November 13, 2020 between Morocco and the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) also known as Western Sahara. Both countries are independent members of the African Union (AU)
We hold that Morocco’s claims that its forces crossed into the buffer zone between both countries to clear roads in El Guerguerat blocked by Saharawi protesters, is unintelligent and baseless.

This is because a buffer zone is a neutral territory separating hostile forces or peoples. It is an agreed ‘No-Man’s land’ between two warring groups or nations, so there can be no thorough fare on it.

On the other hand, the SADR Government led by the POLISARIO Front had protested the continued violation of the buffer zone and the Moroccan attacks against unarmed Saharawi who insist that their liberated territories in which the buffer zone lies, cannot be turned into an international highway by Morocco in clear violation of the ceasefire between the two countries.

We recall the entreaties earlier this week by the Chairman of the AU, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa asking: “the two countries to ease tension and return to the negotiation” and note that this plea was ignored by the Moroccan monarchy which accuses South Africa of supporting Western Sahara’s inalienable right to independence and sovereignty.

Verifiable reports show that in clear violation of the ceasefire, Moroccan troops this morning, as has become their practice, crossed into the buffer zone to brutalize peaceful Saharawi protesters, except this time, the POLISARIO Liberation Front came out to defend the people. This has led to renewed hostilities.

Unfortunately, this will be the second war breaking out in Africa this week following the internal conflict in Ethiopia; so the AU Secretariat needs to move speedily to stop its escalation.
The NMLWS holds that this renewed war is due to the negligence of the United Nations (UN) which in pandering to Morocco, has failed in the past 28 years to hold a referendum originally scheduled for 1992. Also, the UN which has a Peace Keeping Mission; the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) in Western Sahara has failed the Saharawi people by allowing Morocco’s plunder of the territory’s mineral resources particularly phosphate and its fishes which the latter uses for its sardine exports. Additionally, by MINURSO’s refusal to defend the Saharawi people when under their noses, Morocco detains, tortures, kills and generally violate the fundamental rights of unarmed Saharawi civilians, the UN has failed humanity.

The Nigerian Movement states that:
• In line with the UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, Resolution 1514 of 14 December 1960, Western Sahara has a right to independence.
• In accordance with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on Western Sahara delivered on October 16, 1975, Morocco has no verifiable claims on Western Sahara.
• The 1982 Organisation of African Unity (OAU) admission of Western Sahara as an independent country and full member, as far as Africa is concerned, put paid to the territorial claims of Morocco over Western Sahara.
• Morocco’s claims that it was given Western Sahara by the departing Spanish colonialists is ridiculous as Spain could not have given what it did not own.
• The plunder of Western Sahara resources by Morocco, is an international crime.
• The violations of the fundamental human rights of the Saharawi people by Morocco, are crimes against humanity.
WE demand that:
• The UN Security Council declares a ceasefire in Western Sahara and mandates the MINURSO to enforce it.
• The MINURSO be further mandated to protect the fundamental human rights of the Saharawi in the occupied territories.
• UN should appoint a Special Envoy to Western Sahara and hold the much delayed referendum in which the Saharawi will be allowed to decide freely either for full independence or to be part of Morocco.
• The AU must realise that the Western Sahara Question is primarily, an African challenge which the continent must meet by ensuring that Morocco respects the rights of the SADR, as a full member of the AU.
• Nigeria which in December 1984 with President Muhammadu Buhari as Head of State recognised Western Sahara (SADR) as an independent country, should let Morocco know in clear terms that colonialism, whether by foreigners or fellow Africans, is unacceptable.
• The rest of humanity should support or contribute in any way possible to the defence of Western Sahara and the right of the Saharawi to self- determination and to live in peace.

For and on Behalf of the Nigerian Movement for the Liberation of Western Sahara (NMLWS)
Dr. Dipo Fashina,
National Coordinator.
Mr. Owei Lakemfa,
National Publicity Secretary.
13th November, 2020.

Nigerian Movement for the Liberation of Western Sahara (NMLWS) Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Secretariat, Abuja.