Equipe Media – 31/01/2024
Occupied Western Sahara
United Nations Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, arrived in Pretoria today to meet with South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor at the invitation of the South African government. This visit signals a growing South African role in the Palestine and Western Sahara conflicts, amidst criticisms of “double standards” in international diplomacy.
Mr. de Mistura’s visit comes just days after South Africa independently petitioned the International Court of Justice to condemn Israel for alleged genocide in Gaza. It appears South Africa intends to take a more proactive stance on international issues, particularly those perceived as involving unjust power dynamics.
The specifics of today’s meeting remain undisclosed, but the timing suggests a focus on the Western Sahara conflict. South Africa has recently criticized what it perceives as biased Western actions that prioritize power over justice and peace. Mr. de Mistura’s presence in Pretoria signifies the potential for South Africa to engage more directly in seeking a solution to the ongoing conflict in Western Sahara.
