Ike Abonyi
29 June 2009
Western Sahara — Nigeria's role in the decolonisation of the African continent and its big brother attitude to neighbouring countries have been recognised and commended by the President of Africa's only colony, the Western Sahara, Mohamed Abdulazizi.
The President told THISDAY in his office last week in Raboni in Algerian territory from where he is running an exiled government of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic that "Nigeria is a gift to Africa and has remained the pride of the continent."
Nigeria, he further noted, has paid a great frice and has been very generous in supporting the liberation struggle in Africa, especially after the 60s and has bravely been defending all the African struggles, especially the Saharawis.
Abdulazizi said that the West African nation had remained focused in her principle of freedom for all Africans and has unmistakeably been leading defence of these principles.
"Nigeria has used its population and economic strength to defend the principles of freedom in the African Union," he added.
The President whose country was admitted into the African Union (AU) in 1983 through the efforts of big countries like Nigeria and Algeria also commended Nigeria's attitude to her neighbour, noting that Nigeria had always used her size and wealth to the benefit of her small neighbours.
THISDAY correspondent who is visiting the refugee camp as well as the liberated region of Western Sahara reports that the humanitarian condition at the camp is poor and worrisome. He also reports that the landmines and cluster bombs in the troubled area near the over 2, 400 kilometres wall erected to divide the Western Sahara has been maiming and killing the Saharawis.
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