On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, the President of the Republic and Secretary-General of the Polisario Front, Ibrahim Ghali, delivered a comprehensive address to the Sahrawi people and the international community, carrying clear political messages that reaffirm the steadfast national position and put an end to recent speculation regarding proposed solutions.
Fifty Years of Resilience… Principles Unchanged
The President began his speech by emphasizing that half a century since the proclamation of the Republic is not merely a symbolic milestone, but living proof of a people’s endurance in the face of war, displacement, and exile. Despite these hardships, the Sahrawi state has built functioning institutions and maintained its political and diplomatic presence.
He stressed that enabling the Sahrawi people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and independence remains the only path to a just and lasting peace. Any approach that bypasses or undermines this right, he warned, will only prolong the conflict and further complicate regional stability.
He added that the immense sacrifices made by martyrs, prisoners, and the wounded require the continuation of the struggle, in all legitimate forms, until full national sovereignty over the entire territory is achieved.
Message to the World: No Peace Outside International Legitimacy
Addressing the international community, the President reaffirmed that Western Sahara remains a decolonization issue on the United Nations agenda, and that any solution not based on a free and fair referendum allowing the Sahrawi people to express their will is neither legitimate nor sustainable.
He called on international actors to assume their legal and moral responsibilities, warning that ignoring the right to self-determination undermines prospects for stability in North Africa and the Sahel and keeps the conflict open to further escalation.
Denial of Rumors: No Acceptance of Autonomy
Responding to circulating claims suggesting a possible acceptance of an “autonomy” proposal following discussions reportedly held in the United States or Madrid, President Ibrahim Ghali categorically denied any change in position.
He affirmed that any diplomatic contacts are aimed exclusively at advancing a just solution based on self-determination—not at negotiating arrangements that fall short of independence. He described such rumors as part of attempts to create confusion and weaken national unity through political and psychological pressure.
Political Realism Without Compromising Principles
While acknowledging the complexity of the current international climate and shifting geopolitical dynamics, the President emphasized that political realism does not mean abandoning core national principles. The Sahrawi leadership remains open to any serious initiative that guarantees the full and free choice of the Sahrawi people, but rejects any imposed solution that compromises sovereignty.
Conclusion of the 50th Anniversary
The 50th anniversary address reaffirmed a clear and uncompromising equation:
• Internally, unity and resilience remain the foundation of the national struggle.
• Externally, there can be no just and final peace without enabling the Sahrawi people to exercise their right to self-determination.
Fifty years after the proclamation of the Republic, the official message remains firm: independence is not a temporary slogan, but a strategic objective, and self-determination continues to be the essential basis for any genuine and lasting settlement.
