Sahrawi associations lash out at Algeria's statements on Sahara
Morocco-Algeria, Politics, 5/26/2005

Several Europe-based Sahrawi associations have protested the latest statements and official positions of Algeria on the Moroccan Sahara.

The associations deplored in a release Algerian officials' attitude that "undermine" the construction of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA -- mustering Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya).

A few days before the five-nation summit which was to be held in Libya, Algeria voiced support to the Polisario separatists which caused tensions between Rabat and Algiers. This led to the postponement of the summit, initially scheduled for May 25.

The release issued by the associations denounced Algeria's "scandalous support to the mercenaries and separatist of the Polisario," which, they said, is an "insult to the important sacrifices made by Morocco for the freedom and independence of Algeria."

The associations deemed that the support to the separatists "uncovers the Algerian game and gives proof to Algiers direct involvement in the conflict that it made up."

The "Association des tribus sahraouies marocaines en Europe," the "Association SolidaritŽ sahraouie marocaine en Europe," the "A•t Moussa ou Ali Bab Essahra" all voiced surprise at the Algerian statements that do not favour rapprochement between UMA countries and good neighbour relations.

The Association SolidaritŽ sahraouie marocaine en Europe also called for the immediate release of all the Moroccans detained in "Polisario" camps in Tindouf, South-West Algeria, in violation of international law and human rights.

The "Polisario," which is detaining scores of Moroccans and sequestrating Sahrawis in the camps, has been claiming the separation from the motherland of the Moroccan Southern provinces, retrieved in 1975 under the Madrid accords signed at the time by Spain, Morocco and Mauritania.

For their part, Sahrawi associations based in the Southern provinces also condemned the Algerian stances on the Sahara, which only contribute to the escalation of tension in the region and do not help reach a peaceful solution to the Sahara issue.

The "Association pour la levŽe du blocus sur les sŽquestrŽs de Tindouf" said the Algerian position is a blatant interference in Moroccan internal affairs and aim at harming the stability of the North African country. As to the "Association de dŽfense des victimes de la rŽpression dans les camps de Tindouf" it warned against the possibility that the Algerian statements could lead to the balkanisation of the Maghreb region.

The "collectif sequestres.org" denounced the attitude of Algeria, "a brotherly and neighbour State" with which the Moroccan people share not only history and geography, but also the hope for a genuine rapprochement.

Other associations, such as "Amnir pour le dŽveloppement et la cooperation," the "Club diplomatique marocain," the "Alliance socialiste" voiced the same concerns over the Algerian statements.

The denunciation of the Algerian stances and statements also came from Sahrawi personalities stressing the stance does not correspond to the beliefs of the Sahrawis, whose majority live in Morocco.

Previous Stories:
  'Polisario' violates international law by keeping 408 Moroccans captive, ambassador   (5/24/2005)
  Moroccan PM deplores Algerian stance on Sahara issue   (5/24/2005)
  Morocco deplores Algerian statements on Sahara issue, foreign ministry   (5/23/2005)

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