The Union Buildings has rolled out the red carpet to welcome Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, President Brahim Ghali who is in the country for a working visit #SASaharawi 
President Cyril Ramaphosa is hosting President Ghali. The two are expected to review bilateral cooperation between the two countries and exchange views on issues of common interest and mutual concern. #SASaharawi
South Africa formally recognised the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic on 15 September 2004.
Pretoria continues to support the inalienable right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination and independence. #SASaharawi
Pretoria continues to support the inalienable right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination and independence. #SASaharawi
Over the years, SA has extended material and technical support to the cause of the people of Western Sahara.
The two countries have thus far concluded agreements in the fields of diplomacy; sports development; technical cooperation; and humanitarian assistance. #SASaharawi
The two countries have thus far concluded agreements in the fields of diplomacy; sports development; technical cooperation; and humanitarian assistance. #SASaharawi
President Ramaphosa will be supported by of Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu and the Minister of State Security Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba #SASaharawi
The Western Sahara has been on the decolonisation agenda of the UN and AU for more than fifty years. In 1963, Western Sahara was included on the list of non-self-governing territories under Article 73 of the UN Charter #SASaharawi
SA & #Saharawi currently enjoy diplomatic relations at ambassador level. Saharawi has an embassy in @CityTshwane and SA has an embassy in #Algiers, which demonstrates the importance of cooperation between the two countries. #SASaharawi
WATCH: President Ghali of Sahawari Arab Democratic Republic arrives at the Union Buildings #SASaharawi
Pres @CyrilRamaphosa welcomes President Ghali. The two will have a private talks to review bilateral cooperation between the two countries. They will also exchange views on issues of common interest and mutual concern. A media briefing is expected after #SASaharawi
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR ) is located in northwest Africa and is bordered by Morocco to the north, Algeria to northeast and Mauritania to the east and south east.
It was proclaimed on 27 February 1976 #SASaharawi
It was proclaimed on 27 February 1976 #SASaharawi
#SASaharawi has been on the UN’s agenda since 1963, when the territory known then as the Spanish Sahara was placed on the UN list of Non-Self-Governing Territories.
Morocco contends that the Western Sahara, a former Spanish, is an integral part of its kingdom. On the other side the Polisario Front, which is campaigning for the territory’s independence, demands a referendum on self-determination. #SASaharawi
Morocco violently interrupted the decolonisation of Western Sahara, invaded and occupied by force the territory in 1975, mainly driven by the expansionist ideology of the so-called “Greater Morocco”. #SASaharawi
The AU has maintained over the years the inalienable right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination. It has called on the UN to determine a date for the holding of the self-determination referendum for the people of Western Sahara. #SASahawari
Morocco’s admission to the AU in Jan 2017 was received with the expectation that it would contribute to finding a speedy solution to the decolonization conflict in Western Sahara. However Morocco has persisted in its illegal military occupation of parts of #SASaharawi territory
30th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly held in Jan 29 2018, adopted the relaunching of the negotiation process between Western Sahara & Morocco, but the latter has persisted in defiance and is opposed to any involvement of the AU in the peace process #SASahawari
The UNSC for its part recently adopted resolution 2414 (2018) to extend the mandate of the U.N. Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara for a period of six months #SASahawari
Throughout the years, Pretoria has maintained the same position on the right to self-determination for the Saharawi people as enshrined in the UN Charter and the AU Constitutive Act #SASahawari
Pretoria last held a formal meeting with Saharawi in Jan 2017. In that meeting which was attended by heads of states - SA committed to continue walking with the people of Saharawi until they are free to live in their own land & able to determine their own future. #SASahawari
The media briefing will soon start #SASahawari
Pres Ramaphosa starts the briefing by acknowledging the “unbreakable bond” between the two countries #SASahawari
They two countries have agreed to deepen the relations further. Bilateral agreements looked into in this regard include one in humanitarian which Ramaphosa attributes to the delay in concluding self determination for #SASahawari people
Ramaphosa says they also discussed international relations of common interest like terrorism and the reform of the U.N. and UNSC to represent developing countries #SASahawari
Pres Ramaphosa concludes by reaffirming that South Africa maintains a position that Saharawi people must be allowed to exercise their right to self-determination and independence #SASaharawi
President Ghali describes the visit as a meeting of two allies, friends and comrades in struggle.
“Our meeting was fruitful. We have had an opportunity to learn from our brother and exchanged views on many interesting topics.” #SASaharawi
“Our meeting was fruitful. We have had an opportunity to learn from our brother and exchanged views on many interesting topics.” #SASaharawi
#SASaharawi Ghali also expresses satisfaction with the level of bilateral relations his country has with Pretoria
Ghali ends by expressing appreciation to the people and government of South Africa for their continued support in their struggle for self determination .
WATCH: President @CyrilRamaphosa on Western Sahara’s bit for self- determination #SASaharawi
