A Civil Society Organization, Society for International Relations Awareness (SIRA) has urged Morocco, a nation already blessed with abundant resources, to allow its neighbor to thrive independently.
SIRA President Owei Lakemfa noted this at the ongoing International Conference to End Colonialism in the World, themed; “The Forgotten Peoples: International Conference to Decolonize the World,” held in Abuja on Monday.
He lamented that the persistence of colonial rule in any form is a significant problem related to the enslavement of individuals and nations.
Lakemfa highlighted the long-standing occupation of Western Sahara by Morocco, drawing parallels between individual and national enslavement.
He explained that the issue has deep roots, dating back to Spain’s controversial decision to hand over Western Sahara to Morocco and Mauritania during decolonization.
While Mauritania eventually withdrew, Morocco maintained its grip on the territory, leaving the Sahrawi people scattered across occupied lands and refugee camps in Algeria.
Lakemfa lamented that recent diplomatic missteps, including a visit by Nigeria’s Ministry of Green Energy to Morocco without recognizing Western Sahara’s sovereignty, have raised eyebrows.
He said, “As Morocco continues to push for regional influence, having been rebuffed in its bids to join ECOWAS and the European Union, calls are growing louder for the nation to reconsider its stance.
The president emphasized the urgency of freeing these territories, noting that the persistence of colonial rule in any form is a significant problem, akin to the enslavement of individuals or nations.
He said notably, Nigeria has played a significant role in this effort, having officially recognized Western Sahara’s sovereignty back in 1984, during General Buhari’s tenure as head of state.
“As momentum builds, the hope is that within the next four to six years, a significant number of these territories will finally achieve self-governance, marking a pivotal step forward in the global push for freedom and equality,” he said.
Also speaking, former Chief of Staff to President of Nigeria, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, said, long as many people remain not free under colonialism, none of us can consider ourselves free.
“The freedom of all oppressed people, colonized people is paramount, without it, international peace and security is truly endangered.
“United resolutions are plenty in terms of supporting the end of colonialism, but they don’t self-implement; therefore, we really have to organize to make sure those territories under colonial rule or not self-governing must be independent as soon as possible,” he said.