Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Seán Crowe TD, has extended his personal condolences to the family and friends of Mohamed Abdelaziz, the secretary general of the Polisario Front.

Deputy Crowe said:

“I would like to extend my personal condolences to the family and friends of Mohamed Abdelaziz.

“Mohamed was the secretary general of the Polisario Front and the President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

“He spent his life struggling for the independence of Western Sahara and for the freedom of the Sahrawi people.

“I had the pleasure of meeting Mohamed in Leinster House when he visited Ireland in October 2012.

“In that brief meeting we exchanged views and spoke of ways to support the struggle of Western Sahara for independence and self-determination.

“At this moment of deep sadness and loss I want to extend the solidarity of Sinn Féin to the Sahrawi people in their continued struggle for self-determination and freedom.”

ENDS