The Solidarity Conference of CEE Alliance was held via Zoom on 14th March 2021 between 18:00 and 19:30 CET with about 250 participants from 12 countries commemorating the 45th anniversary of the proclamation of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).
Keynote speakers were invited from Russia, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, representing different civil society organizations (CSOs), mainly Western Sahara solidarity groups, peace and human rights activists as well as political parties.
CEE Alliance and all other CSO activists of the conference reaffirmed that they keep continuing their solidarity activities with the Saharawi people in its long-overdue process of decolonisation. They all strongly condemned the various Moroccan violations of the UN-backed cease-fire, the violations of human rights and the massive plundering of natural resources.
Co-President Matyas Benyik declared that
- Morocco has no sovereignty over Western Sahara, it is a simple illegal occupying force;
- Western Sahara is the property of the Saharawis;
- Members of the CEE Alliance stand for the international legality and the Saharawi people’s rights;
- we are supporting the international efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful and lasting solution based on the excercise by the Saharawi people of their inalienable right to self-determination and independence.
Mr. Oubbi Bachir, Ambassador in charge of Europe and the European Union. emphasized that since last November there is no ceasefire and the war resumed between Polisario Front and the Moroccon armies. For the Saharawis it is not a surprise that the cease-fire was broken, because MINURSO has failed due to the lack of holding the UN backed referendum, and because the political process has been paralised. By now a new reality has emerged, so a new format, or a new framework must be put in place according to the African Union resolutions. Polisario is ready to accept the direct negotiations with Morocco, but it continues the armed struggle at the same time.
Budapest, 19 March 2021.
Matyas Benyik
Co-President of CEE Alliance