Unrest, Violence in Tindouf Camps Threatens Lives of Sahrawi Women and Children
Rabat – Videos are going viral online of ongoing unrest and the use of live ammunition in the Tindouf camps, with mounting concerns about the situation of Sahrawi women and children stranded in the increasingly deserted Polisario-run camps.
One of the viral videos shows an armed man using a rifle-like gun and shooting from a building's roof.
The Forum for the Autonomists of Tindouf (FORSATIN) reported on the unrest last week, noting that the camps witnessed incursions by a group of 'thugs and criminals affiliated with one of the drug trafficking gangs.'
Panic and terror
The group had launched an attack on members of a rival gang as part of a 'violent score-settling operation,' the source said, noting that the camps turned into a battlefield using live ammunition in residential areas.
'This caused panic and terror among residents, forcing them to hide and barricade themselves in their shelters for hours while armed gangs roamed freely and exchanged gunfire in broad daylight,' FORSATIN reported.
The Algerian army remained silently stationed just meters outside the camp, FORSATIN said, noting that the Algerian regime only exerted force on 'innocent travelers and those moving in and out of the camp.'
Tribal elders in the camps voiced concerns and protests against the gangs and accused the Polisario leadership of turning a blind eye to the alarming development.
'The goal, they argue, is to intimidate the population and force them into submission, reducing their demands to basic security needs, and distracting them from voicing political opposition or protesting against the Algerian army and the Polisario gang,' the same source added.
Polisario's deepening legitimacy crisis
The chaotic scenes in the camps come as Polisario is facing backlash due to the escape of its members to Morocco.
Three members of the separatist group fled to Morocco in April, waving a white peace flag to return to the North African country.
The escape of the three Polisario members also came amid wide frustration as the Algerian regime killed civilians in the Tindouf camps, sparking uproar and concerns among Saharawis.
Videos online showed porters angrily demonstrating against the deadly attack, threatening to move to Morocco.
'Do you want us to go to Morocco?… You're killing our children here in cold blood,' a civilian is heard crying out to Algerian soldiers. An Algerian soldier is then heard telling him, 'Go!'
In April, reports also conveyed the population backlash and frustration across the camps after the Algerian regime attempted to kill two young Saharawis. The Algerian army opened fire at the young men.
'One of the soldiers ordered them to stop, but the driver panicked, recalling what had happened in the 'Dakhla camp,' where the Algerian army mercilessly killed two young men,' FORSATIN said last month.
Algeria consistently refused demands for a general census in the camps. Former members of the Polisario leadership have suggested that this refusal stems from concerns that only 20% of the population in Tindouf are Sahrawis, while the rest come from other tribes, including Algeria.
The refusal to carry out an official census comes as Sahrawis in the camps face inhumane conditions, including food and aid shortages linked to ongoing embezzlement of funds and aid directed to the population.
The dire situation has been long confirmed by the UN Secretary General, who warned against the conditions under which Sahrawis live, and malnutrition that expands anemia and other diseases among children and women.
Another evidence is the latest appeal by the UNHCR, which called for increased support to Sahrawis.
A UNHCR Representative in Algeria echoed the appeal on Tuesday, stressing that the UN body needs $100 million per year to provide 'adequate assistance to Sahrawi refugees.'
With the latest videos documenting the unrest and clashes between gangs, it is expected that demands to designate the Polisario Front as a terrorist group will increase.
Many high-profile politicians have been shedding light on how the Tindouf camps serve as a fertile ground for drug trafficking and terrorism related crimes. Tags: human rights in the Tindouf campshuman rights in Tindouf
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Biladi
a day ago
- Ya Biladi
With Kenya and Ghana backing Morocco, Polisario turns to Nigeria
The Polisario Front has expressed concern over the possibility of Nigeria officially recognizing Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, following similar moves by Kenya and Ghana. In an effort to prevent such a development, the Polisario's «Minister of Foreign Affairs» traveled to Abuja in hopes of meeting with his Nigerian counterpart, Yusuf Tuggar. However, Mohamed Yeslem Beissat was only received by the Permanent Secretary of the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, as briefly noted by the ministry on its official X account. For its part, the Polisario's press agency released a statement saying the discussions focused on bilateral relations, ways to strengthen them, and other topics of mutual interest. It is worth recalling that Nigeria established diplomatic relations with the Polisario in 1984, and Abuja currently hosts a Polisario «embassy». Beissat's visit comes at a time when Kenya and Ghana, long viewed as steadfast supporters of the Polisario, have publicly expressed their backing for Morocco's autonomy plan. It is also notable that a delegation from Nigeria's National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies visited Algeria at the end of May.
Ya Biladi
a day ago
- Ya Biladi
Morocco's airpower grows, but gaps remain in naval forces and defense industry
A recent study by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation and the Moroccan think tank Global Governance & Sovereignty Foundation analyzed the quality of weaponry acquired by Morocco. The report highlights that the «biggest rival is Morocco's immediate neighbor Algeria, which ranks third globally in military spending-to-GDP ratio behind only Ukraine and Israel». In response to this threat to its territorial integrity, the kingdom has adopted a «deliberate transition toward high-tech, interoperablesystems to ensure territorial integrity», notably acquiring AH-64 Apache helicopters, drones, artillery, and missile defense systems. Alongside facing an Algerian military budget expected to reach $23 billion by 2025, Rabat must also counter «separatist activities in the South, supported by external actors», which demands «surveillance and rapid-response capabilities tailored to the terrain». In April 2021, the Royal Armed Forces ordered 13 Bayraktar TB2 drones for around $70 million, later adding six more in a follow-up contract. These combat drones are «ideal for monitoring separatist movements and border threats». Towards a Sovereign Defense Industry The report notes that Morocco received «its first batch of Bayraktar Akinci drones, with reports indicating an order of an undisclosed number as part of an agreement signed in 2023». These purchases from international suppliers—including the US, Israel, Turkey, and China—are complemented by efforts to develop a domestic military industry. Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar, producer of the TB2 and Akinci drones, announced plans to open a maintenance and production facility in Morocco in early 2025. This followed the signing of a partnership on September 27, 2024, between the National Defense Administration and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to locally produce the WhAP 8x8 land combat vehicle. Recent acquisitions underscore Morocco's commitment to advanced capabilities, especially in artillery. The Israeli Atmos 2000, a 155mm howitzer with a range of up to 41 kilometers, offers rapid deployment and high mobility, making it well-suited for Morocco's desert terrain. This complements the 36 Caesar howitzers purchased from France in 2022. The report also highlights the Royal Armed Forces' «managing supplier diversity», stressing the importance of avoiding overreliance on a single partner to maintain resilience amid shifting global alliances that could threaten access to critical technologies. However, international partnerships alone aren't enough to build a sovereign defense industry. «Morocco still faces gaps in advanced manufacturing capabilities and skilled labor», the report warns. «Producing components locally for systems like Caesar artillery or Patriot PAC-3 requires precision engineering expertise, an area where Morocco is still developing capacity. To bridge these gaps, Morocco must invest in a broader vision of a sovereign defense industry, requiring specialized programs to train engineers and technicians and establish innovation hubs in industrial zones, aligning with its vision of industrial autonomy». Developing Morocco's Naval Capabilities These acquisitions enable Morocco «to play a central role in regional stability and international security cooperation, aligning with its long-term vision of leadership and sovereignty». Beyond cutting-edge weaponry, «Morocco's diplomatic neutrality enables it to facilitate dialogue between conflicting Sahel blocs». The kingdom also plays a «vital role in securing the maritime space, particularly with regard to transatlantic security and the Strait of Gibraltar», the report adds. Achieving this requires significant investment in naval capabilities. «Morocco must prioritize future investments in naval assets, such as acquiring multi-purpose frigates with anti-submarine and air defense capabilities, and develop a maritime strategy», the report emphasizes. Since the early years of King Mohammed VI's reign, Morocco has positioned itself as a key player in securing maritime traffic through the Strait of Gibraltar—evidenced by the Tangier-Med port, the inauguration of the Tangier Maritime Traffic Surveillance Center in December 2011, and the construction of the Ksar Sghir naval base. In the coming months, the Royal Navy will be further strengthened with the delivery of a new patrol vessel ordered from Spanish shipbuilder Navantia. Addressing Gaps in Cybersecurity The report also calls on Morocco to bolster «its naval capabilities and developing expertise in hybrid warfare, particularly in cyber operations, to fill gaps in its defense architecture and counter emerging challenges. Cyberattacks against critical infrastructure, necessitates a robust cyber army. Morocco could establish a dedicated cyber command, leveraging its capabilities with a growing technology sector, to train specialists in cyber operations».
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Morocco World
US Under Trump's Leadership Propels Push for Final Resolution of Sahara Dispute
Doha – A Spanish think tank report suggests the United States under President Donald Trump's returned administration is moving decisively toward resolving the decades-long fabricated Western Sahara dispute. This would potentially draw a definitive close to one of Africa's most unnecessarily prolonged and politically manufactured territorial falsehoods, long sustained by external agendas rather than historical legitimacy. According to an analysis published by Instituto Coordenadas de Gobernanza y Economia Aplicada on June 11, 'the Trump administration has urged Algeria and the Polisario Front to sit down immediately with Morocco and accept that the only possible political path is autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty.' During his first term, Trump recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, marking a landmark diplomatic breakthrough for Rabat. Now, following his return to office in January, the American president appears poised to complete this initiative by establishing a definitive roadmap to resolve this contrived and concocted standoff in North Africa. Last April, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated the 'unwavering support' of his country for Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara, in addition to expressly stressing that the Autonomy Proposal presented by Rabat is the only viable and realistic solution to resolve the prolonged dispute in the region. Algeria pressed to choose between change or deeper isolation Washington has signaled its intention to review and potentially suspend funding for several UN missions, including the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). In a sharply worded op-ed published on March 19 in the Washington Examiner, Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, called on the United States to halt funding for MINURSO, describing it as a failed mission that 'preserves and provokes conflict.' He labeled the Algerian-backed Polisario Front a 'Marxist' group that 'holds wives and children as hostages' in the Tindouf camps to block Sahrawis from returning to Morocco. 'By funding these camps and inflating Polisario legitimacy,' Rubin wrote, 'the UN perpetuates the problem.' This possible withdrawal of financial support 'underscores the urgency for direct parties – Algeria and the Polisario Front – to join negotiations aimed at reaching an agreement based on autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty,' the Instituto Coordenadas report states. The report asserts that 'today, Morocco's autonomy proposal is the only basis for a credible and viable solution, but to make way for it, Washington needs the complicity and commitment of Algeria.' The White House has adopted measures 'to pressure Algiers, including pushing for Polisario disarmament and dismantling the Tindouf camps,' to bring all parties to the negotiating table. 'Presumably, Algeria will be subjected to pressure of unprecedented intensity, which will practically leave it no room for maneuver. That is the intention, at least,' the analysis notes. Refusal to cooperate could result in 'devastating consequences: greater diplomatic isolation, legal complications for its support of the movement, and probable secondary sanctions against Algerian entities that maintain links with the Polisario.' The report cautions that 'in Algiers, abandoning support for the Polisario after fifty years of commitment would be perceived as capitulation by a significant portion of the national establishment.' Another pressure point involves 'the threat of declaring the Polisario Front as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO),' which constitutes a serious warning. A recent article published by the Hudson Institute on April 18 presents 'detailed legal arguments' maintaining that 'the Polisario Front meets the three legal criteria to be designated as an FTO' under Section 219 of the US immigration and nationality law. Washington's rush to seal the Sahara file Morocco's UN Ambassador Omar Hilale stated in an April interview with Medi1TV that 'the United States is determined to close the Western Sahara file, and we hope to celebrate the final end of this dispute at the 50th anniversary of the Green March with our Algerian neighbors.' The anniversary falls on November 6 – a highly symbolic date for all Moroccans. Speaking from New York, Hilale added that the current international context is 'marked by a positive dynamic and unprecedented international efforts.' He noted that more than 110 countries now support Morocco's position. The Instituto Coordenadas analysis explains that the Trump Administration considers Morocco an essential partner in its strategy for stabilizing the Sahel. American expectations regarding the Sahara 'aim to consolidate Morocco in a new status as a pivotal state in the US strategy for Africa.' In this regard, Washington's rush to resolve the Sahara dispute is also explained by its direct implications for the stability of the Sahel, a strategic region facing multiple security challenges, the report continues. 'This concern is reinforced by the growing presence of rival powers in the region, especially China, although it does not support the Sahrawi demands. One of Trump's international priorities is to counter China's growing influence in the world, including Africa,' the report continues. According to the report, there are also powerful economic interests in this urgency: the persistence of the dispute destabilizes the region and disrupts access to uranium, gold, and rare earth deposits that are vital to global supply chains. For the Iberian think tank, the US administration 'is aware of the enormous economic potential of the African continent, which promises the greatest future growth (demographic and economic), but also immense mineral wealth.' 'The White House is eager to establish new relational frameworks with countries in the region that take into account protection in terms of security, the definition of formulas to achieve greater political stability, and economic agreements that provide preferential access to resources and markets,' the analysis went on to say. The report argues that the American urgency to resolve the Sahara dispute is the result of a conjunction of strategic factors: the limitations of the internal political calendar, with the midterm elections (2026) in mind; the desire to consolidate Morocco as a pivotal state in Africa; competition for African mineral resources; and the determination to counter the influence of rival powers on the continent. Curtains closing on a separatist relic Rubio's forceful declaration, issued after his meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, inflicted a humiliating setback on Algeria's outdated narrative. His statement erased any lingering ambiguity surrounding the stance of Trump's second administration and cemented US recognition as an irreversible pillar of American foreign policy. This bold reaffirmation torpedoed Algeria's worn-out campaign to resuscitate its decades-old partition scheme between Morocco and the Polisario Front. And for the shrinking chorus of separatist sympathizers, the message couldn't be clearer: even Staffan de Mistura, the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, came face to face with the reality that separatism has been sidelined – a relic of the past in a dossier Morocco has already locked in its favor. Meanwhile, international calls are mounting to designate the Polisario Front as a terrorist organization. In an opinion piece published on June 10 in La Provincia, Igacio Ortiz recalled Polisario's terrorist attacks against workers from Fos Bucraa and fishermen from the Canary Islands. ACAVITE has filed complaints against the Polisario for the separatist group's involvement in assassinating 300 people between 1970 and 1980. In April, US Republican Congressman Joe Wilson announced, 'I will introduce legislation to designate the Polisario as terrorists,' accusing Algeria and Russia of using the separatist front to gain a strategic foothold in Africa. Former UK Secretary of State for Defense Liam Fox made a similar appeal, stating: 'Like Hamas and Hezbollah, the Polisario Front is an Iranian proxy organisation. For the sake of our Moroccan allies, Western governments must move quickly to designate this group as a terrorist organisation.' As international support continues to grow for Morocco's position, De Mistura delivered what he called a 'strategic window' for the next three months to build a renewed roadmap toward a political settlement. De Mistura urged capitalizing on the current momentum, which he described as an 'unprecedented impetus,' to establish the groundwork for regional de-escalation and credible political process revival.
