A Sahrawi spring? Not likely – The Economist
On a visit to Laayoune the Economist correspondent assesses the situation in the Western Sahara.He meets a group of Sahrawis who say that even if Christopher Ross the UN special envoy is replaced by Colin Powell nothing will change the stand off.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/A-Sahrawi-sprin...
The Polisario continue to call for independence and the Moroccan government insists on its autonomy proposal. The tragic situation is deadlocked as it has been since the UN brokered peace deal 21 years ago. Tens of thousands of Moroccans have come to live in the Sahara and it is rich in phosphates and fish. Many Sahrawis are living under guard in the Polisario camps in Tindouf. The Polisario demanded a referendum but the difficulties of organising it and deciding who could vote proved insurmountable.Algeria will not allow a census in the camps.
The sand wall berm divides Moroccan Sahara from the area controlled by Algeria and the Polisario. Following the Gdiem Izig camp riot which saw two Sahrawis and 11unarmed troops,police and firemen killed. Some Sahrawi’s claimed their Arab Spring began with Gdiem Izik. The freedom of expression in Morocco , Tunisia and Libya does not they say extend to the Sahara.
The Economist correspondent recounts empty streets during Ramadan and police vehicles on every other corner. He talks to one Sahrawi who says he was badly beaten and left for dead. Sadly the same thing happens in the Tindouf camps as the Polisario deal violently with their own people. The correspondent says that one reason why Mr Ross alienated Morocco was his effort to monitor human rights as part of the UN mandate. At any rate Mr Ban Ki-Moon has decided he will serve out his mandate as Special UN Envoy. It is unlikely that anything will change in the near future or indeed for a very long time.
What may change the situation is the increasing presence of AQIM and its allies in Tindouf and the Sahel. As the situation deteriorates, the sand wall serves as a protection of sorts and the enhanced security in Laayoune will become more necessary. A solution to the Sahrawi’s situation needs to be found before more of their young people fall under the influence of AQIM and its associates to trhe ultimate dteriment of both Algeria and Morocco.
The sand wall berm divides Moroccan Sahara from the area controlled by Algeria and the Polisario. Following the Gdiem Izig camp riot which saw two Sahrawis and 11unarmed troops,police and firemen killed. Some Sahrawi’s claimed their Arab Spring began with Gdiem Izik. The freedom of expression in Morocco , Tunisia and Libya does not they say extend to the Sahara.
The Economist correspondent recounts empty streets during Ramadan and police vehicles on every other corner. He talks to one Sahrawi who says he was badly beaten and left for dead. Sadly the same thing happens in the Tindouf camps as the Polisario deal violently with their own people. The correspondent says that one reason why Mr Ross alienated Morocco was his effort to monitor human rights as part of the UN mandate. At any rate Mr Ban Ki-Moon has decided he will serve out his mandate as Special UN Envoy. It is unlikely that anything will change in the near future or indeed for a very long time.
What may change the situation is the increasing presence of AQIM and its allies in Tindouf and the Sahel. As the situation deteriorates, the sand wall serves as a protection of sorts and the enhanced security in Laayoune will become more necessary. A solution to the Sahrawi’s situation needs to be found before more of their young people fall under the influence of AQIM and its associates to trhe ultimate dteriment of both Algeria and Morocco.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/A-Sahrawi-sprin...