The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased to announce that a bilateral meeting was held on Wednesday 22 July in Abuja between the Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Affairs of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), H.E. Mohamed Yeslem Beissat, who is in Abuja as the Special Envoy of the Government of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
The meeting provided an important opportunity for both sides to review and strengthen the longstanding fraternal relations between Nigeria and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
Discussions focused on enhancing political dialogue, promoting bilateral cooperation, and advancing shared objectives of peace, stability, and sustainable development across the African continent.
The Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the principles of self-determination, decolonisation, and respect for the sanctity of colonial borders, in line with the objectives of the African Union.
He emphasized Nigeria’s unwavering support for peaceful and just resolutions to regional challenges through dialogue and adherence to international law. Ambassador Enikanolaiye further underscored that Nigeria has remained consistent in its support for the recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic since extending such recognition in 1984.
The Sahrawi Minister conveyed warm greetings from the leadership of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, presented a letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s consistent and principled stance on African issues.
Both sides also agreed to explore new avenues for collaboration in areas such as capacity building, economic cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both Ministers expressing confidence that the engagement would further consolidate the historic bonds of friendship and solidarity between the two countries while contributing to the broader objectives of African unity and peace.
