Paris, May 11, 2026 (SPS) – The French Association of Friends of the Sahrawi Republic denounced on Monday what it described as the “systematic disregard” for the issue of Western Sahara whenever it comes to respecting international law, reiterating its call for the Sahrawi people to be granted their inalienable right to self-determination and independence.
In a statement issued in the French capital, Paris, the Association stressed that Morocco, which has occupied a large part of Western Sahara since 1976, cannot be “exempt from the implementation of decolonization provisions,” emphasizing the need to organize a self-determination referendum that would allow the Sahrawi people to freely choose their future.
The statement pointed out that the United Nations and the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, continue their efforts to revive the negotiation process, noting that the Polisario Front has consistently presented proposals guaranteeing the Sahrawi people the freedom to choose and determine their future.
In the same context, the Association criticized the positions of some members of the Security Council, accusing them of supporting the thesis of the “Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.” It also condemned the recent visits of the French and American ambassadors to the occupied city of Dakhla.
The Association considered that these visits “go beyond mere symbolism,” arguing that they aim to reinforce support for the Moroccan occupation and obstruct any progress in the UN-led process based on respect for international legitimacy.
The Association expressed its dissatisfaction with the official French position, considering it contradictory to the repeated statements made by French President Emmanuel Macron regarding the defense and respect of international law.
The statement affirmed that “the Sahrawi people, who have lived in exile for 50 years, deserve greater respect and justice,” adding that defending their legitimate right is also a defense of the rights of all peoples against policies of imposing faits accomplis and the logic of force.
In conclusion, the French Association of Friends of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic reaffirmed its commitment to continue supporting the Sahrawi people’s struggle for self-determination and independence, expressing confidence that victory will ultimately be achieved thanks to the resilience and determination of the Sahrawi people.
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