Aminatou Haidar, the "Gandhi of Western Sahara"

Aminatou Haidar, Sahrawi human rights defense icon was paid a glowing tribute by an American newspaper, labeling her the “Gandhi of Western Sahara” in a long portrait of her career and fight for peace.
In its Saturday issue, the newspaper "OZY" dedicated a long article to Aminatou Haidar, president of the Association of Human Rights of Sahrawis (CODESA).

“Late one night in 1987, Moroccan policemen arrived at a house in the occupied city of Laayoune, the capital of Western Sahara, and demanded to speak to Aminatou Haidar. It would only take 10 minutes, they told her panic-stricken family; but those minutes stretched into days, weeks, months and then years,” wrote journalist Ruairi Casey.

“The 20-year-old was disappeared without trial to a secret facility not far from her home, where guards tortured her, subjecting her to starvation and threats of rape — the price for painting graffiti and circulating leaflets calling for a free Western Sahara.”

“The day she was released, more than three years later, she was unable to stand, her body almost broken from the ordeal,” he added.
But Haidar was not deterred from activism and since has become a leading voice of resistance to Moroccan repression in the territory, regarded as Africa’s final colony.
She says, as the journalist quoted her that: “It made me stronger and more determined, and I was even more conscious of the necessity to lead a struggle for self-determination.”
To Sahrawis, Haidar, the “Gandhi of Western Sahara,” is a tireless advocate for peaceful resistance who brings international attention to their much-forgotten plight. To the Moroccan government in Rabat, she’s a “dangerous agitator” who continues to defy what the kingdom calls its “southern provinces,” though no other country recognizes this claim.
Now, at age 53, she’s become a voice of “restraint” — pitted against a new generation of Sahrawi activists who Haidar fears are too eager to launch a full-scale war, with tensions rising along the world’s longest militarized border.
Haidar remains sanguine. Even in her darkest days, visions of a brighter future did not abandon her, and on occasion her thoughts drift to the other activists who were rounded up that same night in 1987. Some have never been seen since, she says, and without bodies, their families have no idea whether their loved ones are alive or dead.
Still bearing the scars of torture, Haidar’s health is poor. She suffers from arthritis and spinal problems. But she dismisses the idea of retiring to a quieter life without a moment’s hesitation: “Only death will keep me silent.”

Amnesty International: Moroccan authorities of occupation used excessive force against Saharawi protestors

Amnesty International asserted on Thursday that the Moroccan authorities of occupation in Western Sahara made excessive use of force against Saharawi demonstrators causing the death of a young woman and injuries of up to 80 others.

In a press release published on its website, the international organization confirmed that that Moroccan authority had used “excessive force by the security forces against Sahrawi protesters in El Aaiun who were celebrating Algeria’s football victory in the Africa Cup of Nations on 19 July.”

The organization, stressed in its press release that it “has verified video footage and gathered witness testimony indicating that security forces, who were heavily present on the streets and in cafés during the football match, used excessive force, throwing rocks to disperse the crowds of demonstrators and sparking clashes. According to two eyewitnesses, Sabah Njourni a 24-year-old woman, was killed after she was mowed down by two Moroccan auxiliary force cars,” said AI.

Eyewitnesses also said to Amnesty that “Moroccan auxiliary forces began chasing supporters with police vehicles and knocked at least three people over, according to one testimony. At least two people who witnessed Sabah Njourni’s death said she was struck by two auxiliary force vehicles which sped up towards her and did not stop to save her or check on her conditions. Satellite imagery analysed by Amnesty International and cross-referenced to videos filmed at the moment she was hit by security vehicles show she was on or close to a pedestrian crossing,” the text reads.

“The killing of Sabah Njourni appears to be the direct result of the police’s lack of restraint. It is vital that the investigation Moroccan authorities have announced into her death is thorough, impartial and effective and that its findings are made public. Any members of the security forces found to be responsible for her death must be brought to justice,” said Magdalena Mughrabi, Deputy Middle East and North Africa Director at Amnesty International.

"One of the two eyewitnesses, a Sahrawi activist, who did not want to be identified for security reasons recounted the moment that Sabah Njourni was hit by security forces’ cars:

“If they wanted to slow down they could have, the street was empty,” the activist said. “The girl was running from another street, she was on the zebra crossing, but these two cars from the auxiliary forces were driving at a crazy speed – it’s a residential area so they shouldn’t be driving so fast.”

The activist described how the first car hit Sabah Njourni, throwing her in the air and the second car ran her over again. Sabah Njourni died of her injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital. The activist also said another protester who had been hit by a car had not visited the hospital for fear of reprisals by the authorities.

“There is clear evidence to suggest that the Moroccan security forces’ initial response to the Sahrawi protests, which began peacefully, was excessive, and provoked violent clashes which could and should have been avoided,” said Magdalena Mughrabi.

The clashes between Sahrawi protesters and Moroccan security forces broke out shortly after Sahrawis took to the streets in El Aaiun on Friday 19 July waving Algerian and Sahrawi flags, chanting slogans celebrating Algeria’s football victory and calling for the Sahrawi people’s self-determination. Witness testimony and video footage indicate Moroccan security forces intervened by throwing stones, using rubber bullets, and spraying tear gas and water to disperse the demonstrators. The protesters responded by throwing rocks back at police.

According to activists, Amnesty adds, “scores of Sahrawi protesters, football fans and bystanders are believed to have been injured. Some stated that at up to 80 people may have been injured but the exact number remains unclear as many did not go to hospital for treatment fearing reprisals.”

In a video analysed by Amnesty International, “one security officer raises his arms in a "Weaver stance," a standard body position adopted by police officers to brace to discharge their firearm, and appears to fire his hand gun at the crowd. The UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, state that security forces must exhaust all non-violent means before resorting to force. These principles also stipulate that the authorities exercise restraint and only resort to use of firearms to protect against the imminent threat of death or serious injury.”

This added to the fact that the Moroccan forces of occupation should actually respect Geneva Conventions on the proitection of civilians in war zones, since Morocco is only the illegal force of occupation in the territory and should not target civilians.

Another activist told Amnesty International they had witnessed a separate incident where an auxiliary forces car hit a Sahrawi protester who was seriously injured with a broken leg and shoulder. The victim did not want to be identified for fear of reprisals.

A third eyewitness described to Amnesty International how he had himself nearly been hit by a police car that was zigzagging and speeding towards him. He also said auxiliary forces cars were driving on the pavements and against the direction of traffic in an attempt to intimidate and harass people.

According to activists, at least 13 people were arrested during the protests – nine adults and four children aged between 14 and 17. The nine adults have been charged with vandalism, use of force, obstructing traffic on a public road, harassment, and insulting the authorities as well as premeditated bloodshed. The four children will face trial in September.

The Moroccan authorities, illegally occupy Western Sahara, continue to impose arbitrary restrictions on the rights of Sahrawis to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. Moroccan security forces have used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations and Sahrawi activists have faced harassment, intimidation and prosecution solely for peacefully expressing their opinions and exercising their other human rights.

France: AARASD denounces expulsion of activist Claude Mangin Asfari of Morocco

The Association of Friends of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic of France (AARASD) on Monday denounced the expulsion of Morocco activist Claude Mangin who tried Monday to visit her husband Naâma Asfari, a Saharawi political prisoner in Kenitra prison (Morocco).

"The Association of Friends of the SADR and all associations in France and Europe in solidarity with Sahrawi denounce this new expulsion,  voicing their total support for all initiatives that can take Ms. Mangin-Asfari to enter the Kenitra prison where her husband jailed, "said the French association in a statement released Monday.

the said associations, the statement continues, will appeal to the French authorities to support Claude Mangin in the application of his access rights.

Claude Mangin moved on Monday for a second visit of her imprisoned husband to Kenitra (50 km north of Rabat), but she was manu militari expelled from Casablanca airport aboard the same plane that has just landed in Paris-Orly.

This is not the first time that the activist has been prevented from visiting her husband Naâma Asfari, who has been detained since November 2010, after being sentenced to 30 years imprisonment on the basis of confessions signed under torture for his participation at the Saharawi camp of Gdeim Izik.

President of Republic begins visit in Republic of Panama

President of the Republic, Secretary-General of the Frente POLISARIO, Mr. Brahim Ghali, arrived Saturday in the capital of the Republic of Panama, Panama City, at an official invitation of the country's government to participate in the inauguration ceremony of President-elect, Laurentino Cortizo.
The President of the Republic was received at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City by representatives of the Panamanian National Authorities, where he addressed to the Panamanian and international press.
He stressed the strength of the historic relations between the two peoples and the two countries of the Republic of Panama and the Saharawi Republic, reiterating the sincere will to consolidate them at present and future, name of the Saharawi people, expressing thanks and appreciation for the kind invitation, and wishing the new President every success in his tasks and for the Panamanian people further progress and prosperity.
During the visit, the President of the Republic is expected to hold of meetings with Panamanian officials, Heads of State and Government and invited delegations

Wali of Ausserd undertakes a working visit to French

 The Wali (Govermor) of Ausserd , Mrs. Mariam Salec, has undertaken Tuesday a working visit to  the French town of Rize accompanied by  the Frente POLISARIO representative  in France, Mr. Abbi Bashraya .

The delegation has held an expanded meeting with the Mayor of the city, Gerard Mayar, and members of the Council to discuss  a bilateral cooperation project   Between the state of Oussard and the French municipality of Rize.

The said meeting has discussed several issues related to the level of cooperation between the two parts and the ways to provide support to the Sahrawi refugee camps to ensure their maximum daily needs in various aspects of life, especially in the health and education sectors, as important factors in the life of humanity and its continued existence

Santiago de Composte University hosts conference on Saharawi struggle women

The Afro-deputy, Suelma Beiruk, addressed the historical trajectory of Saharawi women and their role in the struggle for self-determination and independence of Western Sahara during q conference hosted by the University Santiago de Composte University

In the framework of the activities organized by the Department of International Relations of the Galician institution to address the situation of refugee women, Suelma Beiruk explained to the audience the performance of Saharawi women in the struggle of their people and their key role in the construction and consolidation of the Saharawi State.

"Since the foundation of the Frente POLISARIO and the proclamation of the Saharawi State, women have been aware of our responsibility in history and the need to join forces to contribute to the struggle for our freedom and independence," Beiruk points out

Regular meeting of the executive of the UNMS at the headquarters of the National Union of Sahrawi women.

Regular meeting of the executive of the UNMS on 29 May 2019 at the headquarters of the National Union of Sahrawi women. The meeting chaired by the Secretary general, Minetu Laraas, aims to evaluate the working period between March and May at the central and regional level and the establishment of initiatives on the occasion of the holy month addressed to the most Needed. The Meeting also addressed substantive issues in the field of foreign affairs, cooperation and some other points related to the work of the Organization in general.

The National Union for Sahrawi women appreciates the role of women in the institutional construction of the Sahrawi state, the promotion of Sahrawi society and its contribution to the advancement of national institutions and their positive role in strengthening of the same.

The National Union of Sahrawi women praises the role of Sahrawi women and their struggles in the occupied areas, the south of Morocco and the Moroccan universities, as well as the high morality and the provision demonstrated by Sahrawi women in the occupied territories To confront all kinds of oppression that particularly affects Sahrawi women in the occupied territories.

It also condemned Moroccan abusive practices and brutal treatment of Sahrawi political prisoners in Moroccan prisons, as well as expressing their solidarity with the mothers of the 15 abducted youth.

The National Union of Sahrawi women takes the opportunity to congratulate the Sahrawi people wherever they are in the occupied territories, the diaspora, and in the refugee camps on the occasion of the end-of-Ramadan party.

Saharawi representative in Spain meets with the director for Maghreb in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain

The representative of the Frente POLISARIO to Spain, Jira Bulahi Bad, met with the General Director for the Maghreb, the Mediterranean and the Middle East, Eva Martinez Sanchez, to address the latest developments in Western Sahara and the peace process led by the UN.

The parties regretted the recent resignation of the envoy of the Secretary General for Western Sahara, Horst Kohler, highlighting his effort to end the situation of blockade and the commitment to continue negotiations between the parties, Frente POLISARIO and Morocco, to reach to a definitive solution based on self-determination and independence.

The Saharawi representative reiterated the willingness of the POLISARIO to continue supporting the efforts of the UN in the search for a just and definitive solution to the conflict. dubbing as unacceptable the Moroccan obstacles to the process and the lack of will to enforce international legality.

For her part, Eva Martinez Sanchez, has ratified the full support of Spain to the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) and the appointment of a new envoy capable of continuing the dynamics promoted by the former president of Germany , Kohler.

At the meeting, which took place at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, cooperation was also addressed with the Saharawi people in the humanitarian field and support for international organizations working in the refugee camps.

Finally, the parties discussed the work plan for Vacations in Peace 2019 and the processing of collective visas for children and Saharawi monitors.

UNSG regrets his Personal Envoy for Western Sahara demission of former German President, Host Kohler

The Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, deeply regretted the resignation of former President of Germany, Horst Kohler, to his position and mission as an Personal Envoy for Western Sahara.

In a message sent to the head of the UN, Kohler announces the decision to abandon the position as mediator in the process of decolonization of Western Sahara. The former president justifies such a decision for reasons Health.

Antonio Guterres deeply appreciates the efforts made by Hosrt Kohler, noting that "his constant and intense efforts laid the foundations for a new impetus in the political process in Western Sahara."

The UN Secretary-General expressed his best wishes to the former envoy for the Western Sahara and thanked the parties, Frente POLISARIO and Morocco, for their commitment to the peace process and negotiations promoted by Hosh Kohler.SPS

CEAS-Sahara slams expulsion of foreign observers from Occupied Western Sahara

- The State Coordinator of Associations in Solidarity with the Sahara People (CEAS-Sahara) denounced on Monday the "expulsion" and "lack of protection" of five Spanish lawyers and two Norwegian observers who were going to a trial of a journalist from Western Sahara.

In a statement they indicate that the five lawyers were accredited by the General Council of the Spanish Bar and the Norwegians belong to the Rafto Foundation to witness, as international observers, that trial against the journalist of Equipe Media Nazha el Khalidi, which, finally, has postponed until June 24.

They say that, after being detained yesterday for hours in the transit area of ​​the airport of El Aaiún, they were expelled in a plane to Casablanca, where they have been embarked this afternoon on another flight to Gran Canaria.

They denounce the "silence" of the Spanish Government before the facts, which they interpret as "complicity" in the face of the "systematic violation of the most basic rights" of individuals and peoples.

They claim that Western Sahara is a non-autonomous territory pending decolonization by Spain and "illegally occupied" by Morocco.

They condemn that the Government has not contacted the expelled lawyers to be interested in their state and defend their rights as Spanish citizens.SPS

46th anniversary of Sahrawi armed struggle outbreak to be celebrated

The Sahrawi people will celebrate Monday the 46th anniversary of the outbreak of the Sahrawi armed struggle, in a context marked by the numerous victories snatched by the Sahrawi people, who are still fighting for their right to self-determination.
May 20, 1973 remains a historic event for the Sahrawis who had decided that day, under the leadership of the Polisario Front, the only and legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people, to take arms to wrest their independence from the colonization.
On this historical day, a group of Sahrawi fighters decided to attack the Spanish post of El Khanga.
This operation announced the outbreak of the armed struggle in Western Sahara.
This people exist and will survive the betrayal of colonialism, the assaults of reactionary regimes and their manoeuvres," said late El Ouali Mustafa Sayed, first secretary general of the Polisario Front, who martyred on June 9, 197

Sahrawis celebrate 46th anniversary of Polisario Front creation

The Sahrawi people on Friday celebrated the 46th anniversary of the Polisario Front creation (10 May 1973), an event that coincides with achievements, both continental and international, enhanced with a commitment of the Sahrawi people to their right to self-determination.

The achievements made in favour of the Sahrawi cause reaffirm the recognition of the Polisario Front as the only legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people in their struggle for freedom and independence and the Sahrawi’s commitment to inalienable right to a self-determination referendum.

The Sahrawis celebrate this anniversary in the light of unprecedented international and continental developments and an increasing interest to the Sahrawi cause, notably the Security Council’s call for the reopening of negotiations between the Polisario Front and the Kingdom of Morocco.

On 5-6 December 2018, the United Nations had supervised a roundtable to revive the process to settle the Western Sahara conflict under respect to the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination. 

The UN Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Horst Kohler, had chaired the second roundtable on Western Sahara, in the presence of Morocco, the Polisario Front, Algeria and Mauritania.

Moreover, the Security Council’s last decision (2468) on the six-month extension of the MINURSO mandate instead of one year reflects the interest the UN body attaches to the Sahrawi cause and its willingness to find a solution ensuring the self-determination of the Sahrawi people, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the Council.

The celebration of the 46th anniversary coincides with many political and diplomatic achievements including Western Sahara status as a founding member of the AUO (UA currently) despite the plots of Morocco and its allies.

The AU played a key role in the revival of the Sahrawi cause by constraining Morocco to sit alongside the Sahrawi during the meetings it organized, in addition to the European Union (EU)

HRW denounces misuse of law by Morocco to silence Sahrawi reporter

Moroccan authorities are using a law designed to keep people from falsely claiming professional credentials to bring criminal charges against people trying to expose abuses, Human Rights Watch said in a statement Thursday.

In the latest case, Nezha Khalidi, who is affiliated with the activist group Equipe Media in El-Ayoun, Western Sahara, will go on trial on May 20, 2019, accused of not meeting the requirements to call herself a journalist. Police arrested her on December 4, 2018, as she was livestreaming on Facebook a street scene in Western Sahara and denouncing Moroccan “repression.” She faces two years in prison if convicted, added the organization which defends human rights worldwide.

“People who speak out peacefully should never have to fear prison for ‘pretending’ to be journalists,” said Eric Goldstein, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “The authorities shouldn’t be using a law designed to keep an unqualified person from claiming to be a doctor, for example, to punish people whose commentary displeases them.”

The police released Khalidi after four hours on December 4, 2018, but confiscated the smartphone she had used to film a street scene, which ended with a policeman chasing her. On May 15, she told Human Rights Watch that she never got her smartphone back. The El-Ayoun Court of First Instance will judge her case.

Authorities also arrested Khalidi in 2016, as she covered a women’s demonstration in El-Ayoun on behalf of Equipe Media. The authorities held her overnight and confiscated her camera and memory card, then released her without charge, she told Human Rights Watch.

“Providing information, images, and commentary without official accreditation should not be criminalized the way practicing medicine or driving a truck without a license should be,” Goldstein said. (SPS)

"Hamada" film on Sahrawi youth of refugee camps awarded in Paris

Documentary film "Hamada" on the Sahrawi youth of the refugee camps was awarded twice at the “Cinéma du reel” festival, organizers said Wednesday.

The “Cinéma du reel” festival took place in Paris from March 15 to 24, the documentary film of the Spanish director who has been living in Sweden since 2012, Eloy Dominguez Serén, was screened, which received the Loridon Ivens / CNAP prize, worth 6500 euros, and the Youth Prize (15,000 euros).

"Hamada" tells with humor the life of a group of young friends living in a refugee camp in the middle of the Sahara.

In the Sahrawi liberated territories, the film shows a minefield and the second largest military wall in the world that separate these young Sahrawis from their country, of which they only know the stories told by their parents.

These are the Sahrawis, abandoned more than 40 years ago in this refugee camp in the middle of the desert, after being driven out by Morocco which illegally occupied their country, Western Sahara.

"Hamada" had won the award for the best Spanish film at the Gijon Festival, it should be recalled. 

Sahrawi Community in Europe holds demonstration in Geneva, condemning Moroccan illegal occupation of Western Sahara

Hundreds of Saharawi community in Europe on Friday held demonstration in Swiss capital Geneva, denouncing the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara and the lack of progress in the UN-sponsored settlement process.
The demonstration was called for by Sahrawi civil society groups and attended by political, human rights and solidarity figures from several countries, who expressed their condemnation of the recent renewal of the fishing agreement between Morocco and EU, which includes Western Sahara, in flagrant violation of the ruling of the European Court of Justice.
The demonstrators raised pictures of Sahrawi political prisoners in Moroccan prisons, demanding their release after the deterioration of the health condition as a result of torture and medical negligence.
The Geneva demonstration comes as part of the awareness campaigns in major European cities, so that a solution could be found to enable the Sahrawi people to exercise their right to self-determination.

First meeting of the new Executive of the National Union of Sahrawi women

First meeting of the new Executive of the National Union of Sahrawi women (UNMS) elected at the 8th Congress of the UNMS held from 23 to 25 February in the Wilaya of Auserd.
Minetu Larabas presides over the first session of its Executive to assess the results of the Congress and mark new lines of work and implementation of the Plan of action of the last Congress.
The meeting also has been the starting point of which begin after the deals of folders in different departments chaired by members of the new Executive and activities that have been designated according to the following order:
Dih Chadad responsible for management and central administration
Mula Beiba responsible for cooperation
Najat Jaya responsible for international relations
Raabub Barka responsible for information and culture
Fatma responsible for occupied territories hasna
Nura Banna training manager
Maima charge of health and family salimeya
Minetu Did responsible economic empowerment
Chabba Seini responsible for human rights
Mahyuba Mohamed Saleh responsible immigration and Diaspora.

South Africa hosts conference on Sahrawi people’s struggle, Sahrawi women’s role

Pretoria (South Africa) March 9, 2019 (SPS) - South Africa's capital, Pretoria, on Friday hosted a conference on Sahrawi people's struggle for freedom and independence and the role played by Sahrawi women in this struggle, on International Women's Day.

The conference was organized by South African Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the ANC and continental and African organizations such as South African Coordinating Bureau, South African Women's Dialogue Organization, Gender Equality Committee, Pan African Women's Organization and Voices of Women Workers.

The conference issued a statement welcoming the initiative of SADC countries to organize an international conference of solidarity with the Saharawi people. The statement also stressed the responsibility of Africa to enable the Sahrawi people’s right  to self-determination and independence and to mobilize all efforts to bring the voice of Sahrawi women to all international platforms.

On Women’s Day – Adala UK Urges Moroccan State to Respect Saharawi Women’s Rights

 Written by Adalauk

The 8th March is celebrated around the world as International Women’s Day, recognising the important role women play in the development of our societies.

The Saharawi woman celebrates this day under the constant threat of attacks on her physical integrity, insults, sexual assault, kidnap, ridicule, beatings and other forms of humiliation, committed against her by the Moroccan state, as a result of her participation in peaceable demonstrations to demand respect for human rights in Western Sahara.

Hundreds of Saharawi women have been seriously injured amid the Moroccan authorities’ violent interventions against protesters, resulting in many women being hospitalised, with some having to undergo surgery. Many of these violations have been reported to the Moroccan authorities of justice, evidenced through film, photographs and eye witness accounts which confirm the involvement of the Moroccan authorities, demanding serious and unbiased investigations into these cases which will hold to account those responsible for torture and other human rights violations.

However, due to the lack of real justice, independence and transparency within the Moroccan judicial system, these investigations never take place; on the contrary, the Moroccan state frequently promotes officials who are accused of human rights violations against Saharawis and relocates them to Moroccan cities.

Adala UK congratulates women all over the world, particularly those who are fighting for peace and stability, like those Saharawi women who demonstrate peaceably for their rights, despite the constant agressions they face.

We call on the Moroccan state to comply with its international obligations with respect to human rights, in particular women’s rights, in Western Sahara.

South Africa hosts conference on Sahrawi people’s struggle, Sahrawi women’s role

South Africa conference on Sahrawi people,s struggle sahrawi women,s role

 South Africa's capital, Pretoria, on Friday hosted a conference on Sahrawi people's struggle for freedom and independence and the role played by Sahrawi women in this struggle, on International Women's Day.

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Sahrawi People Celebrates the 43nd anniversary of the Saharawi Republic proclamation

The official celebrations for the 43nd Proclamation of the Saharawi Republic took place today in the wilaya of Samra with the presence of the President of the Republic , General Secretary of the Frente POLISARIO , Mr. Brahim Gali, and all the Sahrawi authorities and foreign delegations representing more than 20 countries.

8th Congress of Sahrawi Women: Election of Minatou Larabas Sweidat as Secretary General

The 8th Congress of the National Union of Sahrawi Women has elected Minatou Larabas Sweidat as the Secretary General for a new four-year term.

Minatou Larabas Sweidat won 184 versus 121 for her rival Nana Labbat Rasheed, while the Electoral Committee cast 17 votes out of the total votes expressed.

8th Congress of Sahrawi Women: Foreign delegations assert support to Sahrawi people's struggle

The foreign delegations participating in the 8th Congress of the National Union of Sahrawi Women (NUSW) expressed their full support and solidarity with the Sahrawi people's just struggle and their right to self-determination and independence.

Large international participation in 8th Congress of National Union of Sahrawi Women

Many foreign delegations from different countries and continents of the world are participating in 8th Congress of the National Union of Sahrawi Women (NUSW), the Congress of Martyr Sidami Mokhtar, held on February 23-25, under the theme “Together we march towards victory and liberation,” in the wilaya of Awsard, Sahrawi refugee camps.

Opening of 8th Congress of National Union of Sahrawi Women

The work of the 8th congress of the National Union of Saharawi Women (NUSW) began Saturday in the wilaya of  Awsard, Saharawi refugee camps, which bears the name of Martyr Sidami Mokhtar Ahmed, under the theme “Together we march towards victory and liberation.”

Fatma Mehdi assures VIII UNMS will be a platform to inform foreign participants on Saharawi State experience in various fields

 The Secretary General of the of Sahrawi Women Union (UNMS), Fatma Mehdi, affirmed this Sunday that the VIII Congress of the Union of Saharawi Women will take place in Auserd from February 23 to 25 under the theme "Together we march towards victory and liberation" will be a platform to raise awareness about the Sahrawi cause and to let the foreign delegations know the experience of the Sahrawi State in various fields.

UNMS´SG said in a press conference to national media, that the Congress that will bear the name of the Martyr,  Sidam-mi Mojtar Ahmed, will host different workshops such as the political participation of Sahrawi women, human rights, Breach of international law by the European Union in Western Sahara.

Fatima El-Mehdi went on saying that this important event will be attended by delegations from Africa, Europe and Latin America, the foreign and national press that will cover the activities of the event.

She also pointed out that foreign participation reflects the dimension reached by the just struggle of the Saharawi people at the international level.

Subcommittees policy and legal of the National Preparatory Committee of the 8th Congress of the National Union of Sahrawi women

Subcommittees policy and legal of the National Preparatory Committee of the 8th Congress of the National Union of Sahrawi women (UNMS) meets to finalize work Congress which will be held from 23 to 25 February 2019 in the Wilaya of Auserd. meeting to evaluate the work and to start local and regional conferences to discuss different issues related to the functioning of the Organization, the rules of procedure, empowerment and political participation of women, as well as the election of delegates participating in representation of their localities and Wilayas and institutions.

Resolution of the Council of the Socialist International

Resolution of the Council of the Socialist International held in the Dominican Republic from 28 to 29 January 2019.
The Socialist International in its Council held in Santo Domingo, and closing by the Spanish president, Pedro Sánchez, salutes the recent negotiations held in Geneva on 5.6 December 2018 under the auspices of Mr. Horest Kohler, according to UN Security Council mandate.
On the other hand, the Council of the Socialist International expresses its support for the appeal made by the United Nations to the parties to the conflict, Morocco and F. Polisario, and to neighbouring countries, Algeria and Mauritania, for a political, negotiated, fair solution under Security Council resolution 2440 advocating a peaceful, mutually acceptable solution that guarantees the right to self-determination of the people. It should be noted that this resolution was taken by consensus following consultations between several participating delegations with the delegation of F. Polisario and of the Party of the Socialist Union of Popular forces of Morocco (USFP)

A high-level Sahrawi delegation participates in the meeting of the International Socialist Council of the Dominican Republic

A high-level Sahrawi delegation participates in the meeting of the International Socialist Council of the Dominican Republic
The high-level Sahrawi delegation is headed by the Minister Delegate for Latin America and the Caribbean, member of the National Secretariat Mansour Omar, of which the Sahrawi ambassador in Nicaragua, Sulaiman-Tayeb Hanan, is in charge and responsible for the International relations in the National Union of Sahrawi women. The Council of the IS is held in the capital of the Dominican Republic of Santo Domingo and has been inaugurated by President Danilo Medina.

The meeting will focus on promoting democracy and fundamental rights, with representatives from more than 100 countries and 145 parties. The Spanish president, Pedro Sánchez, will also attend the closing ceremony.

The Socialist International brings together parties from around the world, and this is the second time that the Caribbean country is hosting the council meeting after 2009.

The executive of the Association of Sahrawi Women in France (FSF) meets to evaluate its plan of action

The executive of the Association of Sahrawi Women in France (FSF) meets to evaluate its plan of action and its work agenda, thus not participating in the VIII Congress of the UNMS scheduled for next February 23.

George Papandreou, president of the Socialist International, participates in the closing session of the Conference

George Papandreou, president of the Socialist International, participates in the closing session of the Conference on social production systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and Empowerment of women and girls held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and that will give way to the Council of the IS on January 28 and 29 2019

Delegation of the National Union of Sahrawi women, led by the head of international relations, Jadiyetu El Mohtar, participates in the Council of women of the Socialist International

SANTO DOMINGO, January 26, 2019 (SPS)-a delegation of the National Union of Sahrawi women, led by the head of international relations, Jadiyetu El Mohtar, participates in the Council of women of the Socialist International which is held from the the capital of the Dominican Republic Friday, two days before the celebration of the Council world of the Socialist International, planned for days 27, 28 and 29.

Expected to participate in the President of the country, Danilo Medina, the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez and the Secretary General of the Socialist International, the Chilean Luis Ayala.

The Friday meeting was opened with statements of the Minister of women of Dominican Republic, Janet Camilo and the Secretary General of the Socialist International, Luis Ayala who emphasized the role of women in the defence of the principles and values Socialist equality and human rights. SPS

Very urgent! Tragic news

Very urgent! Tragic news. The young Sahrawi activist University, studying at the Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Husein Bachir Brahim (that Moroccan occupants alter their identity by calling into your documents Lahoucine Amaadour) eighteen years of age arrived on 11 January to Lanzarote fleeing in a boat of the political persecution of the Moroccan regime. After being arrested and without complying with the obligation of submission to the judicial authority, was deported by the Government Spanish deported him Thursday 17 to Morocco where he was handed over to the police of the Moroccan regime. Today Monday 21 was locked in the prison of Luidadya (Marrakech) on charges of "illegal political activities".
With this behavior the Spanish Government again violating all international norms governing the protection to persons persecuted for their political ideas and the rules of the Spanish State and leaves clear that it is willing to do anything that it prompted the feudalism Moroccan, not only trying to illegally expand commercial, agricultural, and fisheries agreements with Morocco to Western Sahara but it handed over to the torturers to Sahrawi activists. It is not possible to greater moral turpitude.

Second meeting, following its establishment of the Preparatory Commission of the VIII Congress of the UNMS chaired by Fatma Mehdi, Secretary general of the Organization of Sahrawi women

Second meeting, following its establishment of the Preparatory Commission of the VIII Congress of the UNMS chaired by Fatma Mehdi, Secretary general of the Organization of Sahrawi women. Today's meeting will focus on the plan of work of the Legal Subcommittee that is responsible for the revision of the statutes of the UNMS to be exposed to debate to introduce proposals and amendments there to.

A delegation of Sahrawi human rights activists call for under cover of MINURSO

A delegation of Sahrawi human rights activists call for under cover of MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the holding of a Referendum in Western Sahara) in the city of Laayoune, occupied by Morocco. The delegation led by the President of CODESA has been impeded by the Moroccan occupying forces when they tried to hold meetings with other activists in cities such as Laayoune, Dakhla, Smara, Boujdour etc. After being disabled get to these cities, in addition to the provocations and aggressive intimidation, the delegation which has just returned from a trip to the refugee camps and territories of the Sadr has been harassed at the airport of Casablanca on his return and Moroccans which have prevented the members of the delegation to move freely, is monitored at all times by the occupying forces what has forced to ask for the protection of the UN. It remains to be seen if MINURSO is able to carry out the work entrusted to at least protect the lives of these activists.

European MEPs call for the rejection of EU-Morocco trade deal

MEPs of the parliamentary group (Peace for Western Sahara) has urged the European Parliament to vote against the controversial EU-Morocco trade deal that includes Western Sahara We the undersigned Members of the European Parliament are deeply concerned over the controversial proposal to extend the EU-Morocco trade agreement to Western Sahara, a proposal which is to be voted on Wednesday 16th January.

"We deeply express our concern over the controversial EU-Morocco trade agreement on Western Sahara, which is due to be voted on Wednesday," the press release said.

The European Court of Justice has clearly established in its 21 December 2016 judgement that consent of the people of Western Sahara is required for any deal to be valid.

“The proposed agreement does not in any form demonstrate that the consent of the Saharawi people has either been sought or obtained. A failure to fully comply with international and EU law through the proposed agreement would raise serious concerns over the counter-productive role of the EU in the UN-led political process, by pre-determining outcomes of the political process.” the press release adds

The press release went on saying that until all major legal and political issues are addressed, we will reject the proposed agreement, and we urge our fellow MEPs to follow suit and demand urgent clarity over a number of major concerns before voting on the agreement. We repeat our concerns also for the proposed EU-Morocco fisheries agreement, which is scheduled to be voted next month.SPS