Media Statement

12 November 2020

AU Chair calls for calm between Saharawi and Morocco

The Chairperson of the African Union (AU), His Excellency, the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, has been made aware of the growing tension between the Western Sahara and Morocco, arising from a dispute on the buffer zone.

President Ramaphosa has asked the two countries to ease tensions and return to the negotiations. He further urges all the parties to uphold the Settlement Plan, which provides for “a cease-fire” and the holding of a referendum for the people of Western Sahara to exercise their right to self-determination.

President Ramaphosa also called upon the United Nation’s Secretary-General to urgently appoint a Special Envoy to the Western Sahara to address all the underlying causes of tensions and assist with finding lasting peace in that region.

Media enquiries: Tyrone Seale, Acting Spokesperson to the President at media@presidency.gov.za

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

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