Les réfugiés sahraouis ont besoin d’une solution durable garantissant leur droit à l’autodétermination

Refugee Rights and the Western Sahara Issue: A Call for Sustainable Solutions

On Monday, during a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York, Amar Bendjama, the Permanent Representative of Algeria to the United Nations, highlighted the urgent need for a durable solution for Sahrawi refugees. These individuals have endured forced displacement from their homeland due to Moroccan occupation and are seeking the opportunity to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination.

Bendjama pointed out that Algeria has hosted Sahrawi refugees in the Tindouf camps for over fifty years. Despite significant challenges, Algeria, in collaboration with UN agencies and humanitarian partners, has consistently ensured access to basic services for the refugees. However, he stressed that what they truly require is a sustainable resolution that allows them to claim their rights through a free and fair referendum, in alignment with international law and Security Council resolutions.

He firmly stated that the decision regarding the future of the Sahrawi refugees must rest solely with them. Their rights are non-negotiable and should not be subject to bargaining, irrespective of circumstances. Bendjama’s comments come against a broader context of a growing displacement crisis exacerbated by multiple armed conflicts. He noted the increasing numbers of migrants and refugees amid a decreasing trend in international funding, which results in millions lacking access to essential aid.

In summary, Bendjama’s message serves as a clarion call for the international community to prioritize the creation of sustainable solutions for displaced populations. The emphasis on the Sahrawi refugees’ right to self-determination underscores the broader need for addressing the root causes of displacement and ensuring that their voices are integral to the discussions surrounding their futures.