At the UN Fourth Committee, the Bloc reaffirms the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination

As part of her participation in the meetings of the Fourth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, Ms Khadidja Mansour, representing the Hisn Al-Mateen Bloc, delivered a statement affirming the Bloc's support for the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination and the need to complete the decolonisation process in Western Sahara, in accordance with United Nations principles and relevant resolutions.

The statement also stressed the importance of continuing UN efforts to reach a just, peaceful and lasting solution, and of strengthening the role of civil society in supporting peoples' causes and fostering the values of solidarity and peace in the region.

Text of the statement:

Mr Chair, Excellencies, members of the Fourth Committee, ladies and gentlemen,

The Hisn Al-Mateen Bloc, as part of Algerian civil society, is honoured to address this distinguished Committee to affirm its steadfast position, consistent with Algeria's official position, in support of the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination and the completion of the decolonisation process in Western Sahara in accordance with United Nations principles and resolutions.

We believe that the right of peoples to self-determination is a fundamental right that cannot be ignored, and that the question of Western Sahara remains, according to Algeria's vision and the UN framework, a question of decolonisation requiring a just and peaceful solution in line with international law and international legality.

In this spirit, we declare our solidarity with the brotherly Sahrawi people and our support for their right to determine their future freely and without pressure, in line with Algeria's support for decolonisation in Africa under UN supervision. We support UN efforts towards a political solution that guarantees the exercise of this right, and we encourage the continuation of the UN process that Algeria supports, so as to achieve a just and lasting peace in the region.

Mr Chair,

The Hisn Al-Mateen Bloc believes that the question of Western Sahara is not merely a regional matter but a question of principle: the right of peoples to self-determination, the rejection of colonialism and respect for international law, the very principles on which Algerian foreign policy rests. As Algerian civil society, our solidarity with the Sahrawi people is consistent with Algeria's steadfast position and with our principles of solidarity among peoples, defence of legitimate rights, support for liberation causes and the promotion of peace and stability in Africa. We believe, as Algeria does, that real peace in the Maghreb cannot be built by ignoring the Sahrawi people's right, but through a just solution that respects their will and their right to self-determination within the framework of international legality.

The Hisn Al-Mateen Bloc therefore calls for:

• first, continued UN efforts, supported by Algeria, to end colonisation in Western Sahara;
• second, enabling the Sahrawi people to exercise their right to self-determination in accordance with UN resolutions and international legality;
• third, support for the UN political process backed by Algeria, and encouragement for all parties to cooperate with it seriously and constructively;
• fourth, respect for international law, the UN Charter and the relevant resolutions on which Algeria bases its position;
• fifth, a stronger role for civil society in supporting peace and human solidarity and defending the rights of peoples, in line with Algeria's vision;
• sixth, stronger cooperation among the peoples of the Maghreb and Africa to build a region of peace, stability and development, as Algeria aspires.

Mr Chair,

From this rostrum we renew our solidarity with the Sahrawi people, our support for their inalienable right to self-determination, and our backing for efforts to end colonisation and achieve a just and lasting solution, following Algeria's steadfast position. Freedom, dignity and self-determination are principles on which international legality is founded, and the very principles on which Algerian foreign policy rests. The future of our region must be one of cooperation and peace among its peoples, and a just solution to the question of Western Sahara will be an essential step towards a more stable Maghreb and a more united and solidary Africa, as Algeria aspires.

Long live free peoples, long live solidarity among peoples, and peace to the peoples of the Maghreb and Africa.

Thank you, Mr Chair.