Namibia has condemned the decision by the French government to endorse Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
The statement by the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (MIRCO) says France's decision constitutes a blatant disregard for the principles of international law, particularly the right to self-determination.
A letter addressed recently to Morocco's King Mohammed XI by French President Emmanuel Macron marked a pivotal shift in France's stance on the Western Sahara issue.
The French Government has adopted Morocco's position of full autonomy over Western Sahara, a decision that, Namibia says, makes it complicit in the ongoing occupation and human rights abuses of the Saharawi people.
The Namibian nation, therefore, asserts itself against the position taken by France, which undermines the decade-long efforts of the UN to find a sustainable, peaceful, and just solution to the Western Sahara dilemma.
"This decision constitutes a blatant disregard of the principles of international law, particularly the right to self-determination, a longstanding aspiration of the Sahrawi people. Namibia hereby wishes to condemn, in the strongest terms, the ongoing occupation of Western Sahara by Morocco," said Penda Naanda, MIRCO Executive Director.
Naanda adds that the Western Sahara remains a decolonisation issue and cannot be subjected to a bilateral deal, side-stepping UN processes.
As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council tasked with the onerous responsibility of the maintenance of international peace and security, Naanda says France's decision is highly regrettable.
"The Government of Namibia remains resolute and steadfast in its unwavering support for the legitimate right to self-determination and independence for the people of Western Sahara and cautions that this type of action by a powerful member of the UN Security Council that is motivated by its narrow national interest can never legitimise foreign occupation."
To date, the Western Sahara remains a contested territory, with the Saharawi people enduring hardships as they continue their struggle for independence.
The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation says Namibia will remain committed to the UN-led peace processes and will continue to work towards a just and lasting solution to the question of Western Sahara.