The Portuguese Communist Party salutes the Sahrawi people and the Polisario Front, their legitimate representative, on the celebration of the 50th. anniversary of the proclamation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, which took place on February 27, 1976, in the city of Bir Lehlou, in the free territory of Western Sahara.

On this occasion, the PCP reaffirms its longstanding solidarity with the relentless and courageous struggle of the Sahrawi people against colonialism and for the fulfilment of their inalienable right to self-determination and the establishment of a sovereign and independent State, a just aspiration that continues to be denied by the illegal occupation of Western Sahara by the Kingdom of Morocco.

As we celebrate the 50th. anniversary of the proclamation of the SADR, world peace and the future of Humanity face serious threats. US imperialism, and the other powers gathered in the G7, faced with their relative decline and the economic rise of other countries, try to prevent the loss of their global hegemony by promoting confrontation, blackmail and the use of force in international relations, militarism, arms escalation and war, disregard for the principles of international law, and aggression against the sovereignty and rights of peoples, including the right to self-determination.

In view of this complex and dangerous international situation, it is essential that peace loving, progressive, democratic and patriotic forces cooperate in a broad anti-imperialist front capable of halting imperialism's attempts and creating a new international order of peace, sovereignty and social progress.

The PCP will remain committed to solidarity with the struggle of the Polisario Front and the Sahrawi people, as well as demanding an end to the occupation and repression exercised by the Moroccan authorities, respect for and implementation of the rights of the Sahrawi people, and the release of Sahrawi political prisoners jailed in Moroccan prisons.

A just and lasting solution to the Western Sahara conflict necessarily involves the fulfilment of the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination, in accordance with and in respect for the principles of the UN Charter, international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions. The PCP is committed to working towards this goal, particularly with the Portuguese authorities.

Once again saluting the 50th. anniversary of the proclamation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, the PCP extends its fraternal greetings and solidarity to the Polisario Front and, through it, to the Sahrawi people.