MAPUTO, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Wednesday reiterated his support for the independence of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).
Mozambique will continue to provide support to the SADR until the latter reaches its full independence, Nyusi told SADR President Brahim Ghali.
"Although geographically distant, Mozambique and SADR are united by strong bonds, strong enough to feed our political and diplomatic relations since we recognized SADR on March 13, 1976," said Nyusi.
Mozambique and the SADR signed a memorandum for political consultations. Nyusi said it's a tool that will be used to officially materialize the support through existing channels.
Nyusi mentioned the recent admission of Morocco into the African Union (AU) during a banquet in honor of Ghali.
"Mozambique sees the readmission of Morocco as the setting-up of a platform of opportunities, which is necessary to conciliate the positions of both Morocco and the SADR," said Nyusi.
At an AU summit last month, the bloc allowed Morocco back in the fold after a 33-year absence. Thirty-nine of the 54 states approved the return of Morocco while South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana and Algeria, opposed the decision. Those countries have been active supporters of the rights of the Sahrawi people and their right to an independent country.
The SADR controls a small strip of land in the Western Sahara region and claims sovereignty over the entire territory of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony. The majority of Western Sahara is under Moroccan control.
