New York (United Nations), June 18, 2026 (SPS) – Algeria reaffirmed its unwavering position on the question of Western Sahara, while stressing its steadfast commitment to supporting all sincere efforts aimed at achieving a just, lasting, and definitive solution that guarantees the people of Western Sahara the exercise of their inalienable right to self-determination.
This position was reiterated by Algeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Amar Bendjama, during his address to the substantive session of the 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 Twenty-Four), which began its work on Monday at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Ambassador Bendjama opened his statement by noting that the question of Western Sahara, the last colony in Africa, has been on the agenda of the Committee of Twenty-Four since 1963. He pointed out that the issue remains unresolved because the people of Western Sahara has not yet been allowed to exercise its inalienable right to self-determination.
He emphasized that Algeria’s position on the issue remains firm and unwavering and will continue to be guided by strict adherence to international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. He stressed that the fundamental principles governing the Sahrawi issue are clear and that the matter is, above all, one of decolonization.
He recalled that Algeria welcomed the direct negotiations held earlier this year between Morocco and the Polisario Front under the joint auspices of the United Nations and the United States. He stressed that Algeria will remain firmly committed to supporting all genuine efforts aimed at reaching a just, lasting, and final solution to the Western Sahara issue that guarantees the people of Western Sahara the exercise of their inalienable right to self-determination.
Ambassador Bendjama warned that continuing to promote a discourse based on imposing faits accomplis, setting preconditions, belittling the other party, and denying its rights would only fuel frustration and risk pushing the political process into yet another deadlock.
The Algerian Permanent Representative to the United Nations further recalled that the mandate of the Committee of Twenty-Four remains valid as long as the peoples of the seventeen Non-Self-Governing Territories have not freely and fully exercised their right to self-determination. He stressed that the people of Western Sahara cannot be treated as an exception in this regard.
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