Gabi Zimmer, GUE/NGL President, said: “It is with deep regret that we have learned of the passing of our comrade and friend President Mohamed Abdelaziz who, as secretary general of the Polisario Front and its President, has been at the forefront of the movement fighting for the independence of Western Sahara since 1976. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

 

GUE/NGL MEP and Vice-President of the Intergroup of Solidarity with the Sahrawi people in the European Parliament, Paloma López Bermejo expressed “our deepest condolences to the family of Mohamed Abdelaziz and all the Saharawi people”.

 

“We want to convey our deep sorrow in these difficult times: we will continue to walk together with the Sahrawi People and the Polisario Front in their quest for self-determination of Western Sahara, as this is undoubtedly the best way to honour the memory of President Abdelaziz, ” López Bermejo concluded.

 

Mohamed Abdelaziz, a founding member of the Polisario Front, has been Secretary General of the Polisario Front and President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) since 1976. Up until his death, he lived in exile with his people in the Sahrawi refugee camps.

 

GUE/NGL Press Contact:

Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20

European United Left / Nordic Green Left

European Parliamentary Group

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