Ambassador Bah El Mad Abdellah, the outgoing Sahrawi representative to Botswana and Permanent Representative to the Southern African Development Community (SADC), has lauded the regional bloc’s unwavering support for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination. During his farewell visit to SADC Executive Secretary Elias Mpedi Magosi at the Secretariat in Gaborone, the ambassador expressed deep appreciation for SADC’s consistent and principled stance on the Western Sahara issue. His departure marks the end of a two-year diplomatic tenure in Botswana, as he prepares to assume his new post as Sahrawi Ambassador to South Africa, a country known for its vocal advocacy of Sahrawi independence.
Throughout his assignment, Ambassador Bah worked diligently to strengthen ties between the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and SADC, emphasizing the importance of regional solidarity in advancing the Sahrawi cause. He highlighted key moments of support, including resolutions and declarations by SADC Heads of State and Government that reaffirmed the Sahrawi people’s right to determine their own future. These actions, he noted, have played a vital role in amplifying the Sahrawi struggle on both continental and international platforms, reinforcing the legitimacy of their quest for decolonization and sovereignty.
The ambassador’s farewell coincides with renewed momentum in SADR-SADC relations, underscored by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding earlier in 2025. This agreement aims to deepen cooperation and ensure the implementation of regional decisions that support Western Sahara’s self-rule. Ambassador Bah expressed confidence that such collaborative efforts will continue to bolster the Sahrawi people’s aspirations for freedom, justice, and peaceful resolution of their long-standing territorial dispute. He also acknowledged the importance of diplomatic engagement, not only in securing political backing but in fostering mutual understanding and shared values among African nations.
As Ambassador Bah transitions to his new role in South Africa, his legacy in Botswana reflects a period of strengthened regional advocacy and diplomatic progress. His remarks serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring relevance of SADC’s role in promoting human rights and decolonization across Africa. The Sahrawi struggle remains one of the continent’s most pressing unresolved issues, and the ambassador’s farewell underscores the critical importance of continued regional support in the pursuit of lasting peace and self-determination for the people of Western Sahara.