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The Socialist Movement of Ghana (SMG) reiterates its unwavering solidarity with the People of the
Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic and their struggle for liberation from Moroccan colonialism.
We affirm the Saharawi people’s right to self-determination as non-negotiable. It is no different than the
Gold Coast’s right to free itself from British colonialism. And, now as then, we say with Kwame
Nkrumah, that “the independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked with the total liberation of
the African continent!”
Morocco’s decade-long charm offensive does not confuse us. SADR is a colony, forcefully occupied by
the Kingdom of Morocco. Western Sahara is the only part of our continent that remains under colonial
rule. Morocco’s exploitation and violent oppression of SADR is not acceptable simply because Morocco
is also African. Indeed, it is even more odious. The Moroccan monarchy, to shore up its repressive grip
on power at home, has positioned itself as the instrument of those who have exploited our continent for
centuries, and offered Morocco up as a tool of US, NATO, and Israeli imperialism on our continent. In
return, Western elites support not only an anachronistic monarchy but also its spurious claim of
entitlement to Saharawi territory. It is the duty of every African and every African institution to stand
with oppressed and exploited fellow Africans and, in the case in point, to resist Morocco’s inhumane
and shameful imperialist gateway agenda.
We reject the so-called Moroccan “Autonomy” plan for SADR as nothing more than an attempt to
perpetuate colonial occupation. We reaffirm our support for UN Security Council Resolution 690 of This resolution called for a referendum to manifest the democratic will of the Saharawi people as
the only basis for a peaceful solution to the Morocco-Saharawi conflict. Morocco has consistently
blocked plans for this referendum and undermined Resolution 690 for 35 years. Frustrated at the
international community’s unwillingness to enforce its declared positions, the Polisario Front declared a return to armed struggle in November 2020. SMG considers it our duty to fight for fundamental principles of Pan-Africanism and the independence of the Saharawi people. Africans know our history. We know the price of unprincipled silence and appeasement of intransigent power. The price is the destruction of the Libyan Jamahiriya, arrogantly executed by NATO over the explicit objection of the AU. The price is the tide of armed violence rippling through the Sahel today. And, the price is the televised genocide of the people of Gaza by Israeli settler colonists. Africa must take a stand. We must not compromise on questions of sovereignty and dignity.
We will continue to fulfil our duty and to call on all AU member countries and institutions to uphold the rights of the Saharawi People. Down with colonialism!
Long live the militant and long-suffering people of Western Sahara!
Signed.
Kwesi Pratt Jnr
General Secretary