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Herald Reporter—
Saharawi Republic Ambassador Mr Mohamed Cheij Saleh yesterday met Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo at his Munhumutapa offices where he briefed him on the developments relating to the colonisation of his country by Morocco.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Mr Saleh said his country was not ruling out a war with Morocco if all diplomatic routes failed to resolve the impasse between them.
“I met with the minister to brief him about the recent developments regarding our struggle for freedom and independence in Saharawi,” he said.
“Saharawi has many options, but we prefer the peaceful option. If this option which is being pursued by the United Nations and the African Union fails to resolve the impasse we may return to war with Morocco.
“We are prepared for that and our people and our army are prepared for that. There is no sign to a peaceful solution to this impasse.”
Mr Saleh said Saharawi made several concessions to ensure a peaceful resolution of the situation, but Morocco failed to meet its part of the bargain.
Saharawi, Mr Saleh said, was pinning hopes on the forthcoming United Nations Security Council meeting next month which would discuss the impasse.
He said the UN and other internationally acclaimed organisations recognised the sovereign status of Saharawi and as such it was wrong for Morocco to continue imposing itself on the will of the people of Saharawi.
“Since 1991, the AU and the UN started to push towards a peaceful solution by pushing for a referendum in 1992,” he said.
Mr Saleh said Prof Moyo assured him of Zimbabwe’s support for the freedom of the people of Saharawi.
He said he discussed with Prof Moyo bilateral ties between Zimbabwe and Saharawi.
“The minister’s position was firm and he said they will continue to support the struggle of the people of Saharawi,” he said.
Online Reporter