Algerian and Sahrawi ministers strengthen media cooperation amidst struggle for self-determination

The Algerian Minister of Communication, Mohamed Laqab, hosted his Sahrawi counterpart, Minister of Information Hamada Salma, at a meeting held at the Ministry of Communication headquarters.

Also present were Abdelkader Taleb Omar, the Sahrawi Ambassador to Algeria and member of the National Secretariat, alongside several high-ranking officials from both ministries and representatives of Algerian media institutions.

The discussions centered on expanding and enhancing bilateral cooperation in the media and communication sectors, recognizing the rapid pace of technological advancements and the strategic importance of media in addressing national and international issues.

Minister Laqab reiterated Algeria’s unwavering support for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination and independence, emphasizing Algeria’s readiness to cooperate and bolster ties with the Sahrawi media sector.

He highlighted the need for a joint action plan aimed at strengthening collaboration and fostering development in the field of communication.

Minister Laqab also underscored the importance of journalist training to enhance professional capacity, pointing to the necessity of continuing relevant programs that serve the interests of both parties.

In response, Minister Hamada Salma provided an in-depth overview of the current state and challenges of Sahrawi media.

He noted that Sahrawi media, as an arm of a liberation movement, must contend with significant hurdles to highlight the legitimate struggle of the Sahrawi people against Moroccan occupation, while simultaneously working to build state institutions amid an ongoing national liberation war.

Despite facing resource constraints, Minister Salma stressed that Sahrawi media had achieved substantial progress and fulfilled many of its mandates.

Salma also criticized the vast propaganda campaigns launched by Moroccan state agencies, backed by significant material and human resources, to undermine the Sahrawi cause.

He expressed deep appreciation for Algeria’s steadfast and vocal support of Sahrawi self-determination, particularly in international forums.

He lauded the vital role played by Algerian media in documenting developments related to the Sahrawi struggle and countering disinformation and obfuscation efforts led by the Moroccan regime and its allies.

This meeting marks a renewed commitment to fostering media collaboration between Algeria and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, reflecting broader solidarity and the ongoing fight for Sahrawi independence.