Joint Communiqué on the occasion of the Working Visit by H.E Mr Brahim Ghali, President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic to the South African Republic
1. On 5 June 2018, President Ramaphosa received the President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, H.E. Mr Brahim Ghali, on his Working Visit to South Africa.
2. During their discussions, the two Heads of State reviewed matters of mutual bilateral, continental and international interest. The two Presidents further expressed satisfaction at the level of cooperation, solidarity and friendship that stems from the historical, political and fraternal bonds that bind the two countries.
3. The two Heads of State expressed satisfaction with the quality and depth of bilateral cooperation and agreed to further expand bilateral relations, including people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
4. The two Heads of State expressed their full support and confidence in the efforts undertaken by the United Nations Secretary General Personal Envoy for Western Sahara H.E. Horst Kohler, to bring the parties together and mobilise the international community to implement all United Nations Resolutions on Western Sahara.
5. Both Heads of State noted the recent adoption of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution 2414 (2018) and the extension of the United Nations Mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO) Mandate for another six months until October 2018.
6. The two Heads of State expressed their full support and confidence in the efforts undertaken by the African Union (AU) Special Envoy for Western Sahara, His Excellency former President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique and their commitment for a speedy implementation of the 30th Summit of the African Union (Assembly/AU/Dec. 677 (XXX) calling on the two member states to engage without preconditions in direct and serious talks to put an end to their conflict.
7. The two Presidents emphasised that, with her admission into the African Union, the Kingdom of Morocco has an obligation to adhere to the principles and goals enshrined in the African Union Constitutive Act, especially the need to respect colonial borders as they existed at the time of independence.
8. President Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s continued support for the inalienable rights of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination and independence and noted with concern the continued reports of human rights abuses in the occupied territories as well as the continued illegal exploitation of the natural resources in the occupied territories.
9. President Ghali welcomed the decision of the SADC Heads of State and Government to hold a Solidarity Conference on the Western Sahara, with the aim of mobilising international support for the plight of the Saharawi People as the last Colony on the African Continent. In this regard, President Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa’s commitment to the decision taken by SADC in August 2017 to convene the SADC Solidarity Conference on Western Sahara.
10. President Ghali expressed gratitude to President Ramaphosa for the warm hospitality accorded to him and his delegation during his visit.
11. In conclusion, President Ghali further expressed pleasure on visiting South Africa during Youth Month and during the Centenary Celebrations of icons Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu.
12. The two Heads of State agreed to hold regular consultations whenever deemed necessary.
Done in Pretoria
5 June 2018
