WINDHOEK – The Algerian Ambassador to Namibia, Lahcene Kaid-Slimane, says Algeria is uneasy with the recent negative attitude towards it by Morocco, a posture that Kaid-Slimane attributes to Algeria’s stance at the African Union (AU) meeting that Western Sahara should have an opportunity to decide its own future. Kaid-Slimane was speaking at the Algerian idependence anniversary commemoration in Windhoek this week.
“Algeria’s position on Western Sahara never changed and is supported by many countries and international actors such as the AU and the European Parliament. It is not a bilateral issue between Algeria and Morocco but a matter of unfinished decolonization. The Sahrawi people are fighting for independence for nearly 40 years. Give them the opportunity to choose by a referendum,” he said.
A few days ago demonstrators in Casablanca, Morocco, desecrated the Algerian flag at the Algerian consulate while another group of demonstrators also uttered hostile slogans outside the embassy in the Morrocan capital Rabat. “Why this premeditated escalation in Algerian-Moroccan relations? Only because Algeria reaffirmed at the African conference during October in Abuja its support for the Saharawi people. That situation in Western Sahara requires more than ever an international community intervention to end Morocco’s occupation,” he said.
Kaid-Slimane said Algeria plays an important role in the UN system, considering its commitment and concrete contributions on major issues such as peace and security, solidarity in development, the fight against terrorism and the fruitful dialogue between religions and cultures.
Onrelations between Algeria and Namibia, Kaid-Slimane said the two countries have excellent political relations and share a tradition of consultations with great convergence of views on issues of common interest. “Our bilateral cooperation knows an active dynamism in the last four years, thanks to high level visits between Algiers and Windhoek and we hope others are going to take place in future. Algeria and Namibia have tremendous potential and are committed to confer economic contents in their bilateral cooperatio, for a mutually profitable partnership in trade, energy and agriculture,” he said. There are currently 100 Namibians studying in Algeria.
By Fifi Rhodes