The Sahrawi people are not alone in their struggle for autonomy, this is the message that South Africa wanted to reaffirm, on the sidelines of the African Water Summit held in Cape Town. True to its historical commitment against colonialism, Pretoria has once again defended the inalienable right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination and independence.
South Africa’s statement was made during the meeting held between the Sahrawi delegation and the South African Minister of Water and Sanitation Bibi Magodina, reported the Sahrawi Press Agency (SPS).
In this regard, the South African Minister reaffirmed Pretoria’s desire to establish a “concrete” partnership with the Sahrawi Republic, primarily in water management, while expanding cooperation to other areas of common interest.
In the same context, Adda Ibrahim Ahmime, Sahrawi Minister of Water and Environment, reiterated the importance of consolidating this bilateral cooperation. He also called for expanding the partnership beyond the hydraulic sector, with a view to addressing the pressing challenges facing the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
It should be emphasized that the same Sahrawi official also recalled that this summit is taking place in a particularly difficult context for his people, who are still confronted with occupation and the reduction of international aid. Despite this, he affirmed that the Sahrawi government is deploying a “comprehensive” action plan based on increasing production, strengthening storage capacities and guaranteeing equitable access to water for all citizens.
Speaking in turn, the South African Minister of Water and Sanitation stressed the urgent need to provide more support to countries and peoples with limited means, with the ambition of financing vital projects and adopting sustainable strategies to ensure safe access to water in Africa.
Thus, the Cape Town meeting highlighted, beyond declarations of principle, South Africa’s concrete commitment alongside the Sahrawi people, reflecting a united and active will for the benefit of a people in search of justice and dignity.