Ghali's Criticism of Spain and Call for Sahrawi Self-Determination
In a powerful address commemorating the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Polisario Front, expressed strong condemnation of Spain for what he described as a "conspiracy" and an "illegal agreement" with Morocco. This agreement, he argued, deprived the Sahrawi people of their right to self-determination, highlighting Spain's role as the administering power of a territory that the United Nations continues to classify as pending decolonization. Ghali emphasized that the proclamation made on February 27, 1975, was a decisive response to a comprehensive colonial conspiracy orchestrated by Spain, which he accused of attempting to evade its legal responsibilities toward the former colony through agreements that contravene international law.
Addressing a crowd of thousands in the Auserd refugee camp in Tindouf, Algeria, Ghali recalled the Tripartite Agreement signed in Madrid in November 1974, which involved the Franco regime and the governments of Morocco and Mauritania, aimed at dividing the territory among them. He asserted that the intent behind this agreement was to strip the Sahrawi people of their right to exist and self-determine, thereby paving the way for a new occupying force to seize their national territory, referring specifically to Morocco. Ghali reiterated Spain's enduring legal responsibility in the decolonization process of Western Sahara, despite claims from successive Spanish governments that their responsibility ended with a letter sent to the UN on February 26, 1975, announcing their definitive withdrawal from the region.
Message to Morocco and the Pursuit of Peace
In light of the ongoing conflict with Morocco, which flared up again following the breakdown of the ceasefire in November 2020, Ghali reaffirmed the SADR's commitment to strengthening and consolidating relationships with countries and peoples around the world, including Morocco itself. He stressed that the Sahrawi people do not pose a threat but are instead partners willing to engage in peace and cooperation. Ghali underscored that the SADR has consistently sought peace based on respect for international borders and regional stability, recalling its previous peace agreement with Mauritania while continuing to aspire to a just and definitive solution with Morocco.
Furthermore, Ghali referenced recent mediation efforts by the United States and the UN, which included discussions in February in Madrid involving the Polisario, Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania, following the UN resolution encouraging negotiations based on Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara submitted in 2007. He advocated for a resolution that guarantees the Sahrawi people's inalienable right to self-determination and independence, stating that the exercise of this right is the only path to achieving a just and lasting peace. The 50th anniversary of the SADR, he proclaimed, sends a message of resistance, national unity, and a firm rejection of any conspiracies against the rights of the Sahrawi people.
Following Ghali's impassioned speech, a military parade took place, initiated by veteran fighters of the Polisario, symbolizing the ongoing commitment to their cause. Among the participants were individuals who began their struggle at a young age, showcasing the deep-rooted dedication of the Sahrawi people to their fight for independence. As the parade unfolded, families and children looked on, many waving flags and voicing their support for the Sahrawi struggle. The event underscored the community's resolve to continue fighting for a favorable solution that recognizes their rights and independence, as articulated by a participant who expressed a willingness to defend the Polisario Front's positions whenever called upon.
As reported by pressdigital.es.
