New York (United Nations), June 19, 2026 (SPS) – Several African countries have once again reaffirmed their support for the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination and independence during statements delivered before the substantive session of the United Nations Special Committee on the Situation with Regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (Committee of 24), which began its work on Monday at UN Headquarters in New York.
The representative of South Africa reiterated her country's unwavering solidarity with the people of Western Sahara, whose freedom has been delayed for far too long. She called for intensified UN efforts to achieve a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution that guarantees the people of Western Sahara their right to self-determination. She stressed the need for the United Nations to take urgent steps to organize the long-promised self-determination referendum, enabling the Sahrawi people to determine their future as a fundamental right under international law.
For his part, the representative of Angola emphasized that his country remains firmly opposed to colonialism in all its forms and manifestations, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. He recalled that Western Sahara remains on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories and reaffirmed Angola’s support for the inalienable right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination in line with relevant UN and African Union resolutions.
He further stressed the importance of seeking a realistic, practical, and mutually acceptable political solution within the framework of the UN-led political process under the auspices of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy, Staffan de Mistura. He also expressed Angola’s support for a possible visit by the Special Committee to the region to enhance understanding of the situation on the ground and support the political process. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union in advancing a peaceful, negotiated, and sustainable solution.
The representative of Zimbabwe stated that the situation in Western Sahara serves as a stark reminder that the decolonization agenda remains unfinished. She noted that the issue of Western Sahara, as Africa’s last colony, has remained on the agenda of the UN Fourth Committee for decades without a resolution.
She emphasized her country’s firm conviction that the people of Western Sahara possess an inherent and inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, and African Union decisions.
The representative also reiterated Zimbabwe’s support for the UN Settlement Plan and for the organization of a free, fair, and credible referendum under the supervision of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, MINURSO. She stressed that the Settlement Plan represents a consensual solution endorsed by the international community and remains the most credible path toward achieving lasting peace and stability, not only in Western Sahara but throughout the wider region.
In conclusion, Zimbabwe called on the Special Committee to maintain its principled position regarding Western Sahara as a Non-Self-Governing Territory and to pursue concrete efforts to ensure that the Sahrawi people can exercise their right to determine their future without any external interference.
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