The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), also known as Western Sahara on 2nd April 2025 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties, marking a significant milestone in support of the SADR/Western Sahara’s pursuit of decolonisation and self-determination.
His Excellency Mr. Elias M. Magosi, the Executive Secretary of SADC and His Excellency Mr. Bah El Mad Abdellah, Ambassador of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) accredited to the Republic of Botswana and Permanent Representative to SADC, signed the MoU at the SADC Secretariat Headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana.
The objective of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is to materialise the decisions adopted by the SADC Heads of State and Government in August 2019 with respect to SADR/Western Sahara and the Declaration on the SADC Solidarity Conference with SADR/Western Sahara held in March 2019 in Pretoria, Republic of South Africa.
H.E. Magosi highlighted that the SADC region will not forget or neglect the plight of the people of SADR/Western Sahara, their daily struggle for survival, and their ultimate hope of exercising their right to self-determination. He noted that SADR/Western Sahara remains the only territory in Africa under colonial rule as inscribed in the United Nations and decolonisation list of “Non-Self Governing Territories”.
The SADC Executive Secretary added that the signing of the MoU is a testament to SADC’s strong commitment to support SADR/Western Sahara to reach its goal of deciding how it wants to be governed and by whom.
On his part, H. E. Ambassador El Mad Abdellah hailed the signing of the MoU between SADC and SADR/Western Sahara as a significant step towards fostering cooperation, solidarity, and mutual shared values. He described the event as a symbol of the shared commitment to enhancing collaboration and supporting the rights and aspirations of the Sahrawi people.
The Ambassador expressed optimism that SADC, with its history of anti-colonial struggle, will leverage diplomatic channels, promote awareness, and apply pressure on international bodies to recognise their political aspirations, thereby amplifying their quest for sovereignty and independence.
During the Solidarity Conference with Western Sahara which was held on 26th March 2019 in Pretoria, Republic of South Africa, Heads of State and Government, representatives of like-minded countries, leaders of African Liberation Movements and Political parties, as well as Civil Society Organisations, and other institutions, pledged solidarity with the people of Western Sahara in their struggle for self-determination, and undertook to raise the question of Western Sahara at all multilateral fora as well as bilateral engagements with international partners.
During the signing of the SADC-SADR/Western Sahara MoU, the SADC Executive Secretary was accompanied by the Director of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs at the SADC Secretariat, Professor Kula Ishmael Theletsane, the Legal Counsel of SADC, Dr. Phineas Matto and the SADC Electoral Support Officer Mr. Elijah Munyuki.
