Republic Arab Saharawi Democratic

For the third consecutive time in less than four months, the Moroccan government participated in an event where the Saharawi Republic was fully taking part as an independent State, during the works of the 2nd High Level Meeting of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership.

A long-delayed referendum on the independence of Saharawi from Morocco was the subject of an international conference in Abuja, Nigeria during late October 2013. The conference was sponsored by the Nigerian Labor Congress and other mass organizations.

After having been plundered the natural resources of the Saharawi people and having invested them to support the military presence at the expense of the rights of the Saharawis, Morocco is trying to rob the Saharawi of their identity and culture in an attempt to present the world with a false ima

Figure 1. Session of traditional spiritual Medeh music in the camps
© Violeta Ruano

Ismail Hamdi, a Saharawi student, is from Elaaiun where he was born and raised. When he first opened his eyes to this world he saw oppression, abuses and plundering of natural resources. He has been witnessing occupation at work in his homeland: Western Sahara.

One of the accused, Chaikh Banga, who was sentenced to 30 years in prison, said during the trial: "If my love for my country is considered an offense let the world witness that I am a gangster."

22 Saharawi prisoners have been held without charge for almost 2 years in Salé prison, Morocco, accused of acts of violence towards the Moroccan authorities whilst the latter razed to the ground the Saharawi Gdeim Izik protest camp.

Young Saharawis are fed up with the United Nations-led peace process between the leaders of the Western Saharan liberation movement, Polisario, and the Moroccans who have colonized most of their country since 1975.

Saïd Dambar was 26 years old, a BA in Economics and worked in the occupied city of El Aaiun. He was noted for exemplary behaviour with family and neighbours, outstanding student career, an athlete as well as a worker concerned about the situation of his people.