Polisario : Growing calls for arms from Algeria
Algeria, once seen as a steadfast ally, is no longer enjoying unanimous support within the Polisario Front, especially among its more radical factions. This internal dissent was recently illustrated by a statement from Rachid Zineddine, the son of a prominent figure from Naama and a well-known journalist in the Tindouf camps.
«We no longer want statements of solidarity or condemnation, we want weapons. If we had been armed, we could have avoided this situation. They [the Moroccans] have humiliated us», Zineddine declared in a video shared on social media. Based in Spain, Zineddine had pledged in 2021 to document the Polisario's «war» against Morocco on video, a promise that remains unfulfilled.
This isn't an isolated voice. A few months ago, Bachir Mustapha Sayed broke a long-standing taboo within the movement. During a closed-door meeting of the Polisario's general secretariat in February, he openly criticized Algeria's refusal to provide military support. «The Algerians don't want the conflict with Morocco to escalate beyond a certain point that could jeopardize their own interests», said the brother of the Polisario's founder.
For context, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had admitted, ten days after Donald Trump's inauguration in 2021, that «the Sahrawis are demanding weapons that we refrain from supplying for the moment».
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Biladi
4 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
King Mohammed VI to perform Eid Al-Adha prayer at Hassan II Mosque in Tétouan
King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, will perform Eid Al-Adha prayer on Saturday, 10 Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 AH, corresponding to June 7, 2025, at the Hassan II Mosque in the city of Tétouan, according to a statement from the Ministry of the Royal Household, Protocol, and Chancellery. The Eid prayer will be broadcast live on national radio and television starting at 11:00 a.m., reads the same statement. This year, Moroccans will not perform the traditional Eid al-Adha sacrifice. Earlier in 2025, King Mohammed VI called on citizens to forgo the ritual due to ongoing economic and climate-related challenges, which have led to a significant decline in livestock numbers.
Ya Biladi
9 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Spain's PSOE opposes recognition of Polisario documents in nationality bid
In Spain, the lower house is currently reviewing a bill that would grant Spanish nationality to Sahrawis born during the Spanish colonial era. The proposal, submitted by the far-left coalition Sumar, has sparked intense debate among lawmakers, according to Spanish media reports on Thursday, June 5. The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), led by Pedro Sanchez, has demanded that applicants exclude any documents issued by the Polisario Front. Sumar had initially called for the recognition of documents signed by the Polisario and legalized by its representation in Spain. To recall, the lower house agreed on February 25 to examine Sumar's bill, despite PSOE's opposition. Socialist MPs had previously voted against a similar proposal in 2022, submitted by Unidas Podemos lawmakers the year before. In February 2023, the former far-left coalition revived the initiative in protest against a high-level Morocco-Spain meeting in Rabat, held without the participation of its ministers. However, the early general elections on July 23 delayed its examination. The proposal was later reignited in November 2023 by Sumar MP Tesh Sidi, who is of Sahrawi origin.
Ya Biladi
17 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Ghana backs Morocco's Sahara autonomy plan, strengthens ties with Rabat
In a joint statement signed this Thursday in Rabat, Ghana expressed its support for the Sahara autonomy plan proposed by Morocco, describing it as the «only realistic and sustainable basis for a mutually acceptable solution to the Sahara issue». The statement also praised the efforts of the United Nations as «the exclusive framework for achieving a realistic, practical, and lasting solution to this regional dispute». «In mediating this conflict, which has lasted for more than five decades, we welcome the plan presented by Morocco and are convinced that a mutual agreement between all parties involved is necessary to achieve lasting regional peace», declared Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who was received by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. During a press briefing following the signing of the joint statement and a memorandum of understanding on political consultations, Ablakwa affirmed that Ghana's stance aligns with its traditional vision, which «has always advocated for peace». According to him, the plan proposed by Morocco to resolve the regional dispute «is consistent» with Accra's «peaceful foreign policy». «We cannot continue to oppose each other and engage in a deadlock that does not contribute to peace, stability, and cohesion», emphasized the minister, standing alongside Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Nasser Bourita. «We have always been in favor of peace and dialogue. We believe that all parties should come to the negotiation table and engage in dialogue within the framework of the United Nations. There should be a commitment that the UN decision will be definitive on this issue», Ablakwa stressed. This statement marks a notable shift in Ghana's position. It follows recent decisions by Accra, including the January 7th announcement of its suspension of diplomatic relations with the «Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)». With this move, 46 countries, including 13 in Africa, have now broken off or suspended such ties since 2000. On the Sahara and the Sahel, Ghana distances itself from Algeria Less than a month ago, a Ghanaian parliamentary delegation visited the Kingdom. Led by the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Alfred Okoe, the delegation was received in May by Nasser Bourita and the President of the House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi Alami. The parliamentarians also traveled to Laayoune during their visit, which took place just weeks after Foreign Minister Ablakwa's own trip to Algiers. Now back in Morocco, Ablakwa aligned his position on the Sahara with a logic of regional peace, also addressing its broader implications for the Sahel. «We have also considered strengthening regional security [with Rabat, editor's note]. We are concerned about the growing threat of terrorism and violent extremism, particularly in the Maghreb and the Sahel, which poses a threat to us all. Everyone knows that Morocco has an excellent intelligence and security system. We will therefore cooperate», he stated. The minister also praised the quality of bilateral ties between Accra and Rabat, not only in regional security, but also in economic and academic cooperation, and in easing mobility between the two countries. «Our relations are at their highest level, and we will continue to work together for peace, stability, and progress, as well as for the transformation of our region. Our diplomacy must be a bearer of peace (...) It must offer opportunities to our populations, and that is our priority», he emphasized. «I am pleased that King Mohammed VI is a visionary leader who also believes in these principles. I will continue to work with Morocco in this direction», he added. In this context, Ablakwa announced an upcoming state visit by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, with the date still to be determined. «I convey to you the warm greetings of the President of the Republic of Ghana. He sends his most sincere greetings to his brother, King Mohammed VI, and looks forward to making a state visit soon to engage in discussions with him. Ghana knows that the last high-level visit was made by the Sovereign [in 2017, editor's note]; it is now Ghana's turn to return the visit», said Ablakwa.
