Namibia has reiterated the need for a solution to the long-standing quest for the realisation of the right to self-determination of the people of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
 
Namibia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Penda Naanda says the matter needs to be brought to a logical conclusion through diplomatic and peaceful means.
 
Addressing the UN"s C-24 Committee on Decolonisation Ambassador Naanda pointed out that Western Sahara has for 50 years been under illegal occupation by the Kingdom of Morocco, which has, since November 1975 illegally settled hundreds of thousands of Moroccans on the territory of Western Sahara, despite a October 1975 ruling that Morocco had no sovereignty rights over the territory.
 
“It is imperative that the international community continue to direct its commitment to upholding the UN Charter, which is unequivocal about its recognition of the right to self-determination as a fundamental principle. Namibia is delighted to see that the UN Security Council extended the mandate of MINURSO to October 2026, following the 2025 Report of the UN Secretary-General that expressed deep concern about the situation in Western Sahara, and called for a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution."
 
Ambassador Naanda pointed out that UN Security Council Resolution 2797 of October 2025, did not impose a Moroccan Autonomy Plan.
 
He explained that the Resolution reaffirmed the need for a mutually agreeable lasting political solution between the two parties.
 
 "MINURSO's mandate remains intact and it is, amongst others, to verify the reduction of Moroccan troops in the Territory of Western Sahara and to organise and ensure a free and fair referendum to enable the people of Western Sahara to choose between independence and integration with Morocco, and to proclaim the results thereof."
 
Ahead of the establishment of MINURSO by the UN Security Council on 29 April 1991, Morocco together with the POLISARIO Front accepted an outline of the plan provided by the UN Secretary-General "on the holding of a referendum of self-determination of the people of Western Sahara and on ways and means to ensure the organisation and supervision of such a referendum by the United Nations in co-operation with the then Organisation of African Unity", now the African Union.
 
The independence of Western Sahara, under the government-in-exile called the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is recognized by more than 40 countries and is backed by neighboring Algeria.