By. Dr. Kivumbi Earnest Benjamin, L. H. D. (Hon.)
Kampala, Uganda — Updated at 1815 EAT on 21st November 2025:
His Excellency Seddiki Nafaa, the newly appointed Ambassador of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) to the Republic of Uganda, has officially assumed his diplomatic duties after presenting copies of his credentials to Ambassador Charles Ssentongo, the Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a ceremony held at the Ministry headquarters in Kampala.
Ambassador Ssentongo congratulated the new envoy and reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. The two diplomats discussed areas of mutual interest, including political dialogue, multilateral cooperation, humanitarian support, and pan-African solidarity.
Longstanding Uganda–SADR Relations
Uganda and the Sahrawi Republic share a long history of diplomatic solidarity grounded in Africa’s liberation struggles and the continent’s commitment to completing the decolonization agenda.
Uganda formally established diplomatic relations with SADR on 6 September 1979, becoming one of the African states that consistently championed the Sahrawi right to self-determination. Over the decades, support has remained visible in government, parliament, civil society, and pan-African forums.
In 2023, Uganda and SADR signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Diplomatic and Political Consultations, signalling renewed commitment to active collaboration. High-level visits, including the 2023 visit of President Brahim Ghali to Kampala, have further solidified ties.
Civil society in Uganda has been equally vocal. Groups such as the Ugandan Movement in Solidarity with the Sahrawi People and the Uganda Solidarity Movement with Western Sahara have repeatedly condemned the occupation of Western Sahara, advocated for the release of Sahrawi political prisoners, and urged stronger African engagement in support of Western Sahara’s independence.
Ugandan universities and youth platforms have also participated in regional solidarity initiatives. The Kampala Declaration of September 2025, adopted during a public lecture on pan-Africanism, reaffirmed full support for SADR and openly denounced Morocco’s continued occupation of Western Sahara.
Key Remarks from Ugandan and Sahrawi Leaders
Uganda’s consistent advocacy for the Sahrawi cause has been reinforced through strong public statements from national leaders:
- President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, in meetings with President Ghali in 2025, reiterated Uganda’s “unwavering support” for the Sahrawi people and emphasized Africa’s duty to complete the continent’s liberation struggles. He noted that unresolved conflicts like Western Sahara continue to hinder continental stability and unity.
- Uganda’s Parliamentary Friendship Group with SADR, formed in 2021, affirmed that Western Sahara’s independence remains aligned with Uganda’s liberation principles and Africa’s anti-colonial legacy.
- Sahrawi President Brahim Ghali, during his engagements with Ugandan leaders, expressed gratitude for Uganda’s steadfast support and praised Kampala’s role in amplifying the Sahrawi struggle through diplomatic, youth, and civil society channels.
- At youth and pan-African forums held in Kampala in 2024 and 2025, Sahrawi officials consistently called on African youth to defend the principles of justice, sovereignty, and self-determination — principles Uganda has continued to champion.
These remarks collectively reflect a relationship founded on solidarity, shared history, and a common vision for continental justice.
Profile: Ambassador Seddiki Nafaa
His Excellency Seddiki Nafaa is a veteran Sahrawi diplomat known for his commitment to international advocacy, pan-African cooperation, and the struggle for Sahrawi self-determination.
Diplomatic and Professional Background
Ambassador Nafaa has served in various political and diplomatic roles within the Sahrawi Republic, representing his government in regional, liberation, and solidarity forums. His work has focused extensively on:
- advancing Western Sahara’s right to self-determination,
- expanding diplomatic alliances within sub-Saharan Africa,
- strengthening SADR’s engagement within African Union and Non-Aligned Movement frameworks,
- and defending the rights and welfare of Sahrawi refugees.
Key Priorities in Uganda
As he begins his mission in Kampala, Ambassador Nafaa is expected to prioritize:
- Deepening Political and Diplomatic Relations based on the long-standing friendship between the two nations.
- Enhancing Bilateral Consultations, following recent agreements between Uganda and SADR.
- Engaging Youth and Academia to expand solidarity networks across universities and civil society.
- Amplifying Humanitarian Cooperation, particularly regarding refugee welfare and international aid mobilization.
Reputation and Leadership Style
Ambassador Nafaa is widely regarded as a calm, articulate diplomat who promotes dialogue, unity, and principled advocacy. His appointment to Kampala reflects the strategic importance SADR places on its relations with Uganda, a country widely respected for its historical role in African liberation movements.
A Moment of Renewed Solidarity
Ambassador Nafaa’s accreditation marks another chapter in the strong diplomatic bond between Uganda and the Sahrawi Republic. As both nations continue to cooperate in multilateral arenas and grassroots movements, the Kampala ceremony stands as a reaffirmation of Uganda’s enduring position: that the question of Western Sahara remains a central issue in Africa’s unfinished liberation struggle.
The ambassador’s arrival is expected to energize bilateral engagement and sustain Uganda’s role as one of the continent’s most consistent supporters of Sahrawi self-determination.
HICGI News Agency 