Senegal backing to Morocco's rights over Sahara is conform to international legitimacy, diplomat says
Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 4/19/1999

Senegal's ambassador to Morocco, Dodou Diop, said his country defends Morocco's rights over its Saharan provinces in accordance with the international legitimacy.

Diop, who was interviewed by Moroccan Assahra Al-Maghribya" daily, renewed Dakar's rejection of the admission of the Sahrawi republic (SADR/self-proclaimed by the Polisario) as member of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

The diplomat also noted the paradox within the OAU which at the same time admitted the so-called SADR as a full-fledged member and is claiming to approve the holding of a self-determination referendum.

The SADR was admitted as member of the OAU during the African summit of Nairobi in 1984. The decision prompted founder Morocco to quit the Pan-African body.

"We have always been against the admission of this phantom republic to the OAU and stressed that the entity does not meet the criteria of admission," the Senegalese ambassador said. "We don't understand how this so-called republic was admitted."

Diop recalled that several African countries have withdrawn recognition of the Polisario republic after they realized their mistake. These countries now request the OAU to correct its political and juridical error, he added.

The Sahara dossier is currently in the hands of the United Nations, which is projecting to hold a self-determination referendum to determine whether the former Spanish colony, retrieved by Morocco in 1975, sets up on its own or stay within Morocco.

After many delays due to Polisario procrastination, the consultation, proposed by Morocco in the mid-1980's, is slated for March 2000.

Previous Stories:
  Polisario is doomed to disappear, former Polisario leader says   (4/13/1999)
  Sahrawi republic losing ground, Rwandan FM says   (3/29/1999)
  Senegalese communication minister winds up visit to Morocco   (3/26/1999)

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