quarta-feira, 25 de fevereiro de 2009

M. Ross : "Ma tournée dans la région m'a permis de prendre connaissance des différents points de vue"


Alger, L'envoyé personnel du secrétaire général des Nations unies au Sahara occidental, M. Christopher Ross, a déclaré mercredi à Alger que sa tournée dans la région lui a permis de prendre "clairement" connaissance des différents points de vue et positions.

"Cette étape de ma première tournée dans la région dans le cadre de ma mission en tant qu'envoyé personnel du SG de l'ONU au Sahara occidental, m'a permis de prendre connaissance clairement des positions et des points de vue", a dit M. Ross à la presse avant de quitter Alger dans le cadre d'une tournée qui l'a menée également au Maroc et aux camps des réfugiés sahraouis.

"Cette tournée, a-t-il poursuivi, m'a permis également de constater une volonté sincère de poursuivre le processus (du règlement du conflit) et de m'aider dans ma mission de la part des deux parties au conflit (Maroc et Front Polisario) ainsi que de la part d'un pays du voisinage".

Rappelant les entretiens qu'il a eus avec les hauts responsables marocains et sahraouis dans le cadre de cette tournée, M. Ross a, en outre, exprimé son intention de visiter la Mauritanie "dans les plus brefs délais".

L'émissaire onusien a indiqué qu'il poursuivra sa tournée en se rendant, tour à tour, à Madrid, Paris et Washington pour examiner avec les hauts responsables dans ces trois capitales "la contribution qu'ils peuvent m'apporter dans l'exercice de ma mission".

Par ailleurs, M. Ross a souligné que les entretiens qu'il a eus avec le président Bouteflika, le ministre des Affaires étrangères, M. Mourad Medelci et le ministre délégué chargé des Affaires maghrébines et africaines, M. Abdelkader Messahel, ont été "francs" et "fructueux".

"Ces entretiens, a-t-il ajouté, ont porté sur la position de l'Algérie vis-à-vis de la question du Sahara Occidental et sur la poursuite du processus de négociations entamé entre les deux parties (Maroc et Front Polisario) pour aboutir à une solution politique juste, durable et mutuellement acceptable garantissant le droit du peuple sahraoui à l'autodétermination.

L'Envoyé personnel du secrétaire général de l'Onu avait eu dimanche à Chahid El Hafed, dans les camps de réfugiés sahraouis, des entretiens avec le président de la République, M. Mohamed Abdelaziz et des membres du Secrétariat national du Front Polisario.

Il avait déclaré que sa visite a pour objectif de s'enquérir de la position du Polisario et de son point de vue sur les modalités à mettre en œuvre pour progresser dans les négociations auxquelles a appelé le Conseil de sécurité, pour une solution mutuellement acceptable qui prend en charge le droit du peuple sahraoui à l'autodétermination.

La tournée de M. Ross dans la région s'inscrit dans le cadre de la relance des négociations entre les deux parties en conflit, le Maroc et le Front Polisario, avait indiqué l'ONU.

"Après les réunions qui se sont tenues à New York, la semaine dernière,
impliquant le secrétaire général, les membres du Conseil de sécurité, ainsi
que les parties au conflit que sont le Maroc et le Front Polisario, l’envoyé
personnel du secrétaire général pour le Sahara occidental, Christopher Ross,
est parti pour la région en prévision des consultations prévues", avait expliqué
la porte-parole de l'ONU, Mme Michèle Montas.

M. Ross, qui a succédé à ce poste au Néerlandais Peter van Walsum, a accompli une longue carrière au sein du département d’Etat américain, où il s’est spécialisé dans les questions concernant les régions du Moyen-Orient et d’Afrique du Nord, ajoute l'ONU.

Il a été ambassadeur des Etats-Unis en Syrie et en Algérie et a été aussi un des conseillers principaux sur le Moyen-Orient et l’Afrique du Nord à la Mission permanente des Etats-Unis auprès des Nations Unies. Il a également occupé le poste de conseiller principal à l’ambassade américaine à Baghdad en 2004, rappelle-t-on.

Western Sahara: "sincere desire" of the parties to continue dialogue


There is a "sincere desire" of Morocco and the Polisario Front to continue negotiations on the future of Western Sahara, said Wednesday in Algiers the new UN envoy for Western Sahara Christopher Ross, currently touring the region.

*
"This tour has allowed me to see a sincere desire to continue the process (the settlement of the conflict) and help me in my mission of both parties of the conflict (Morocco and Polisario Front) and from the neighbourhood countries", namely Algeria, told the press Mr. Ross, whose remarks were reported by the Algerian press agency APS.

"This first stage of my tour in the region allows me to hear clearly the positions and views," he added, before leaving Algiers, where he arrived Monday in connection with a tour intended to revive the negotiating process between Rabat and the Polisario Front.

Before Algiers, Ross had visited Morocco and the Sahraoui refugee camps in Tindouf (south west of Algeria).

The new UN envoy, appointed in January, said he would now travel to Madrid, Paris and Washington to "discuss with senior officials in the three capitals of the contribution they can make in the exercise of his mission.

Mr. Ross has also reported that in Algiers he had “frank and fruitful” talks with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci and the Minister Delegate for Maghreb and African Affairs Abdelkader Messahel.

Former Spanish colony with a sub-soil rich in phosphates, Western Sahara was annexed in 1975 by Morocco, which offers a wide autonomy under its sovereignty, rejecting any independence.

The Polisario, supported by Algeria, on the other hand requires a referendum for self-determination in which independence would be one of the options.

Irish oil company speeds up illegal oil hunt


The Irish oil company Island Oil and Gas today announced their intention to upgrade their licence in occupied Western Sahara from a frontier licence to an exploration licence.

Press Release
Island Oil and Gas
25 February 2009


Moroccan operational update:

-Aeromag survey defined promising structures

-Imminent negotiations with ONHYM to upgrade Frontier licence into Exploration Licence

-Highly positive regional moves: discoveries and international major farm ins Island Oil & Gas, the Irish exploration and production company with an international portfolio is very pleased to note today’s statement by San Leon, operator of the Joint Venture set up to explore the Zag basin, onshore Morocco.

Aeromagnetic surveys have defined a number of promising structures. The results of the survey have greatly encouraged the joint venture (Island 20%) and negotiations are to commence on upgrading the Reconnaissance Licence to a full Exploration Licence.

In addition, Island notes the highly positive regional news of both new discoveries on the Algerian side of the basin and the entrance of international major RWE to the licence adjacent to Island’s.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Island Oil & Gas commented:

“All of these moves are highly positive in both a regional and specific context. The entrance of such a major company as RWE to the adjacent licence validates our first mover activity.

The results from the aeromag, whilst very early, are very exciting. With excellent terms currently being offered in Morocco, we look forward to the future with confidence”

25 February 2009

Enquiries:

Island Oil & Gas plc
Paul Griffiths
Carl Kindinger
Tel: +353 1 6313755
www.islandoilandgas.com

Davy (NOMAD and broker)
Anthony Farrell
Tel: +353 1 679 6363

College Hill (Financial PR)
Paddy Blewer
Nick Elwes
Tel: +44 (0)20 7457 2020



Notes to editors

Island Oil & Gas is an Irish based international oil and gas company, with recent history of proven exploration, development, production and asset trading successes. Its portfolio includes projects in Ireland, Netherlands, Albania and Morocco. With approved international operator status, Island has an access route into new projects denied to many of its peers.

Island has been involved in Morocco since early 2007, has found operating conditions to be excellent and has found ONHYM, the Moroccan National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mining to be a highly valued partner. Island is targeting high impact joint venture exploration plays in two prospective projects:

The Tarfaya Exploration Licence is located onshore Southern Morocco and covers an area of 13,434 square kilometres adjacent to the Atlantic Coast. The Exploration Licence was awarded by ONHYM in November 2007 and is effective from 14 January 2008 for an eight year term divided into three work phases. Island is the operator and owns 30% of the Licence, with AiM listed San Leon Energy plc as 22.5% partner]. A recent competent person report compiled by Netherland Sewell & Associates for San Leon’s AiM listing stated that ‘Probable Prospective’ oil in place for the Tarfaya exploration leads of 2,511.5 mmb and gross ‘Probable Prospective Oil Resources’ of 711.3 mmb. It quotes gross unrisked ‘Possible Prospective Oil Resources’ of 3,878.6 mmb.

The Zag Reconnaissance Licence is located in Southern Morocco and covers approximately 21,807 square kilometres. Island owns 20% of the Licence which is operated by San Leon Energy. The Zag Exploration Reconnaissance Licence lies within the Zag-Tindouf Basin of Southern Morocco and Western Algeria and is the westernmost of the prolific hydrocarbon-producing Palaeozoic Basins of North Africa. Petro Canada and RWE have taken acreage in adjacent blocks, and Repsol have made a major commercial discovery in the basin. Reconnaissance Licence upgradeable to a full Exploration Licence.

Time to let the Sahrawis decide


"WSRW believes it is time for the Saharawi people to settle the question of how they wish to be governed through the referendum which the UN calls for. Then it will be clear to companies with whom to deal", writes WSRW in letters to the editor in the petroleum journals Upstream and Petroleum Africa.


Saharawi must decide on Western Sahara

By Cate Lewis
International Coordinator, Western Sahara Resource Watch
Letter to the editor
Upstream, 20 February 2009


UPSTREAM’S coverage of Moroccan oil exploration in Western Sahara points out the dilemma that it is
a territory which is treated by the United Nations as an unresolved colonial issue, and an area under occupation.

In the 30 January edition of Upstream, Calvin Dark of the US-based Moroccan lobby bureau Moroccan American Center for Policy, in seeking to correct some “false and misleading statements” in your coverage, unfortunately makes a series of errors of his own.

Dark claims that the UN considers Morocco as Administrative Authority over Western Sahara, and that the Moroccan oil search in Western Sahara is legal since it is to the benefit of the people of the territory. His arguments are taken out of thin air.

Western Sahara Resource Watch, representing individuals and organisations in 30 countries, would like to clarify a few aspects of Dark’s interpretation of international law.

• No state in the world recognises Morocco’s claim to Western Sahara, a claim which is found groundless
by the International Court of Justice. The UN condemned the 1975 Moroccan annexation of Western
Sahara.
• Morocco is not recognised as the Administering Power of the territory. This was clearly confirmed by the UN legal office, in its much referred to 29 January 2002 Legal Opinion, paragrap 6. No agreement has ever legally transferred the administration of Western Sahara from Spain to Morocco, according to the UN.
• Had Morocco been the Administering Authority of Western Sahara, certain regulations would apply,
such as not carrying out natural resource exploration or exploitation unless it is respecting the wishes and interests of the people of the territory. But considering Morocco is not the Administering Power,
as the author of the UN legal opinion, Hans Corell, has repeated, even stronger rules must be considered as to when natural resources activity can be considered legal.
“Any limitation of the powers of such entity acting in good faith would certainly apply a fortiori to an entity that did not qualify as an administering power but de facto administered the Territory”, Corell said recently.
• It is not for Morocco to decide what is of the Saharawi people’s benefit. According to the UN, the exploitation of natural resources can only take place if it is in accordance with the “wishes and interests” of the people in the territory.

Only the people in Western Sahara can decide this, not Morocco. Despite more than 100 UN resolutions calling for the Saharawis’ right to selfdetermination, this right has still not been respected.

Western Sahara Resource Watch (WSRW) works to preserve the natural resources of Western Sahara
for the Saharawi people. These people are simply asking to exercise their inalienable right to selfdetermination endorsed by the United Nations. WSRW believes it is time for the Saharawi people to settle the question of how they wish to be governed through the referendum which the UN calls for. Then it will be clear to companies with whom to deal.Petroleum Africa
11 February 2009

WSRW Weighs in on Western Sahara Exploration Debate

Petroleum Africa has received many comments on recent reports published on www.petroleumafrica .com and in the February issue of the magazine regarding the exploration taking place off the coast of Western Sahara initiated by Kosmos Energy under an agreement with Morocco (see http://www.petroleumafrica.com/read_article.php?NID=7014). We have, in an effort to be fair to all, published each organizations’ perspective on the issue.

Recently, Petroleum Africa was contacted by Catherine Lewis, International Coordinator for Western Sahara Resource Watch (WSRW). Lewis offered the WSRW’s perspective on the statement issued to Petroleum Africa by Calvin Darks, Director of Communications for US based Moroccan lobby bureau the Moroccan American Center for Policy.

The clarification and position of the WSRW as received by Ms. Lewis follows:

11 February 2009

Petroleum Africa

Dear Editor

Petroleum Africa has written a series of good articles in recent weeks regarding the case of Moroccan oil exploration in Western Sahara. The dilemma as written by Petroleum Africa, is that Morocco is exploring for oil in a territory, which is treated by the UN as an unresolved colonial issue, and is an area under occupation.

Mr. Calvin Dark, Director of Communications of the US based Moroccan lobby bureau Moroccan American Center for Policy, in seeking to correct some "false and misleading statements" in your coverage, presented an opinion to Petroleum Africa which was published on 24 January, unfortunately makes a series of errors of his own (see article).

Western Sahara Resource Watch, representing individuals and organisations in 30 countries, would like to clarify a few aspects of Mr. Dark’s interpretation of international law.

Most gravely, Mr. Dark makes a serious mistake in suggesting that Western Sahara is part of Morocco. No state in the world, nor the UN, recognise Western Sahara as Moroccan. The 1975 Madrid treaty between Morocco and its neighbouring countries has never been recognised by the UN. On the other side, the 1975 Moroccan annexation of Western Sahara was condemned by the UN.

Morocco has furthermore never been recognised as Administrative Authority of the territory, as Mr. Dark suggests. It is all the more curious that he should state this, given that he himself quotes a legal opinion made by the former UN Under-Secretary General for Legal Affairs, Mr. Hans Corell of 2002. In the opinion’s section 6, it is stated that: "The Madrid Agreement did not transfer sovereignty over the territory, nor did it confer upon any of the signatories the status of an administering Power - a status which Spain alone could not have unilaterally transferred." How is it possible for Dark to claim that this means the "United Nations, which recognised the validity of the Madrid Treaty, also recognises Morocco as the Administering Authority in Western Sahara"?

If this premise doesn't hold, the rest of the argument falls. Morocco may be the de facto administrator in Western Sahara, but the claim by Polisario that its occupation is illegal is given a footing. Corell continues, "Morocco however, is not listed as the administering Power of the territory in the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories" (section 7)

Had Morocco indeed been the administering power of Western Sahara, certain regulations would apply, such as the fact that it does not carry out natural resource exploitation/ exploitation unless it is respecting the wishes and interests of the people of the territory. But considering Morocco is not the administering power, as Corell has repeated, even stronger rules must be considered as to when natural resources activity can be considered legal.

"Any limitation of the powers of such entity acting in good faith would certainly apply a fortiori to an entity that did not qualify as an administering Power but de facto administered the Territory," Corell stated in a conference in South Africa in December 2008: click here for statement.

Mr. Dark states that “The Polisario has taken out of context and manipulated the full findings of the 2002 advisory opinion of the UN's Legal Affairs Division, which explains the extent to which Morocco is authorised to undertake such developments and conditions governing use of any resulting benefits.” In this one sentence, Mr. Dark has omitted the most important aspect of the entire Western Sahara conflict, and the main conclusion of the 2002 opinion. It is not for Morocco to decide what is of the people’s benefit. The whole conclusion of the Corell opinion is that this can only take place if it is accordance with the “wishes and interests” of the people in the territory. The issue is thus self-determination for the people in the territory. More than 100 UN resolutions support this right for self-determination the Sahrawi people. This applies for the territory’s resources as much as for the territory.

Here, one can be assured that the opinion Dark attributes to the Polisario alone, is in fact shared by the community of international lawyers and academics as well as United Nations bodies. It is actually Morocco which is alone in its special pleading.

The International Court of Justice found in 1975 that Morocco never had any sovereignty over Western Sahara and that its people were entitled to the right of self-determination. The UN General Assembly resolution of 1979 (34/37) refer to the Polisario as the legitimate representative of the Saharawi people and resolution (35/19) of 1980 described Morocco's presence in Western Sahara as an "occupation". In any case its de facto administration covers only the part of the country west of the military wall or berm which divides the territory held by Morocco from that held by the Polisario Front.

The Polisario Front, by the way, is recognised by the United Nations as the proper representative of the Saharawi people (on both sides of the berm) in the current peace talks with Morocco. The Saharawi Republic is a full member of the African Union and recognised by many countries around the world. It has a democratic constitution and elects its president and government at a national congress every 4 years. Morocco, by contrast, is ruled by an absolute monarch who appoints the prime minister and has the power to dismiss any member of the government or parliament. If Western Sahara’s president has led his country for over 30 years, it is because he has been re-elected many times by his people. The change of the Moroccan head of state during that period occurred not by a vote but through the traditional rules of succession following the death of King Hassan II in July 1999.

Western Sahara Resource Watch works to preserve the natural resources of Western Sahara for the Saharawi people. These people are simply asking to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination endorsed by the United Nations. WSRW believes it is time for the Saharawi people to settle, through a referendum, the question of how they wish to be governed. Then it will be clear to companies with whom to deal.

Yours sincerely

Cate Lewis

Sahrawi teenager raped by police officers




The 16-year-old was undressed and raped during interrogation.



24.02 - 2009

Last Sunday night, on the way out of her family's house in al Quds street in El Aaiun, the 16 year old pupil was stopped by the police.

According to her own testimony to the Sahrawi human rights organizations ASVDH and ODS, she was handcuffed and her face was covered with a dirty cloth. She was then taken into a police car, where she was beaten. The police took her to an unknown location.

Shortly after being taken out of the car, two police officers arrived. The victim has been able to identify and name both of them to the Sahrawi human rights organizations. They interrogated her about Western Sahara flags that have been distributed around El Aaiun, and about Western Sahara graffiti that has been painted on come school buildings recently.

When she said she did not recognize the allegations, the two police officers undressed and raped her. During interrogation she was threatened that if she didn't give the police the information they sought, her younger siblings would be kidnapped as well.

As the interrogation ended, she she was threatened that she would be killed if she publicized the story.

But she did it anyway. Both the victim's name, descriptions of the rape method and photos of her have been distributed by email by human rights groups in Western Sahara this week.

"This is terrible. I know her well", said the winner of the Student Peace Prize 2009, Rabab Amidane.

Amidane is now in Trondheim, Norway, and is going to receive the award this Friday. When the Norwegian Support Committee for Western Sahara called Rabab on Tuesday morning, she had not yet heard of the episode.

She said the victim is a close friend of her family.

"She often comes to our house to drink tea or eat dinner. She is one of my little sister's best friends", said Amidane.

Western Sahara Project builds future for refugees. Mount Holyoke students aim to help Saharawis denied a homeland


Mount Holyoke News

By Samantha Silver

19 February 2009.

If you ask Senia Bachir Abderahman '10 where she's from, she will tell you she's from Western Sahara in North Africa, even though this is a place on which Senia has never set foot. A 1500 mile wall prevents anyone from coming in, especially its native people. Western Sahara has been occupied by Morocco since 1975.

As a refugee of Western Sahara, she and her family are not allowed citizenship in the territory and so Abderahman was born in Tindouf, Algeria, where her family lives in the Smara refugee camp. Despite a cease-fire between Morocco and the people of Western Sahara since 1991, this has not prevented the people of Western Sahara, called the Saharawis, from being tortured and killed by Moroccan soldiers. Western Sahara, located between Morocco and Mauritania, is recognized as a "non self-governing territory" by the United Nations because of Morocco's refusal to give the Saharawis referendum to self-determination, the right to choose their own status as a people.

If you Google "Senia Bachir Abderahman" you will find over a hundred hits from websites in English, Norwegian and Spanish, among other languages speaking the praises of a student who is doing all she can to make the plight of her people known. Abderahman has spoken before the United Nations and human rights groups, sharing her story and it was such a story that hit home with Nina Nedrebo '10.

Nedrebo, who is from Norway, has no connection to Western Sahara other than her own personal interest in helping the Saharawis and the Saharawi people she has met and spoken with. "There is no other project that has resonated so deeply with me," she said. Nedrebo has now taken on the plight of the Saharawi people as her own and along with Abderahman is embarking on a project that aims to help the Saharawis make their lives more sustainable.

Their plans for such an effort, called the Western Sahara Project, aims to create a library and cultural center for the people in Abderahman's refugee camp, and start a small sheep farm that will provide a source of income to the project and help to employ those who will work at the library. The Western Sahara Project was chosen by Mount Holyoke to be one of the 100 Davis Projects for Peace, awarding the project a grant for $10,000. "I was so excited we won. Every cent from the grant will be used," said Abderahman. Nedrebo and Abderahman's efforts are already taking the Mount Holyoke campus by storm, in hopes that starting small will help their efforts reach a more global scale. Abderahman won three awards last Monday (the most of anyone at the event) for her work within the Mount Holyoke and global community, including the Kelly Sottile award, the Center for Global Initiatives Award and the Weissman Center Award (which was given to both Nedrebo and Abderahman).

Abderahman and Nedrebo are also seeking donations of books for the library as well as funding to buy more books. There have already been donations of books from Putnam Press. Abderahman and Nedrebo are planning for a Western Sahara awareness week in March, which will start with a panel on human and civil rights in the Middle East and North Africa. They are also planning a benefit a cappella concert to feature the V8s, the Amherst Route 9 and the Smith Vibes, which will help raise money towards the project.

"Finally something that I have been dreaming about is becoming a reality," said Abderahman.

Marathoners trek across Sahara


Monday February 23,

Sports Illustrated/CNN (USA)

LAAYOUNE REFUGEE CAMP, Western Sahara (AP) -- Marathon runners from more than two dozen countries raced through the rock-strewn desert of Western Sahara on Monday to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the conflict-ridden territory's call for independence.

Mostly Spaniards and other Westerners, the competitors covered 26.2 miles of what organizers say is a safe circuit because it's next to refugee camps. The area is near Algeria and far from the front line of the Western Sahara's conflict.

About 450 racers from 26 countries took part. The course runs between two of the sprawling camps where many of the 160,000 ethnic Saharawi refugees live in mud houses and tents on the border with Algeria.

The number of racers has more than tripled since the annual event began in 2001, organizers said. Conditions are Spartan: The racers have no running water or electricity; they eat ethnic Saharawi food; they are housed in refugees' homes or tents because there is no hotel in Western Sahara.

The Sahara Marathon was part of celebrations for the anniversary of the Polisario Front's declaration of independence in 1976. Morocco holds two-thirds of the territory, while the United Nations strives to revive negotiations between Moroccans and the Polisario that have dragged on and off since a 1991 cease-fire.

While Western Sahara is one of the world's oldest conflict zones, competitors appeared unfazed about running through a no man's land held by Polisario troops and some 150,000 Moroccan soldiers guarding the 1,600-mile barrier of barbed wire, walls and 5 million land mines.

"People think Africa is stressful, but it's really fine," said Tracy Urquhart, a 37-year-old office assistant from Kitchener, Ontario.

"This race is a really unique experience," she said, as Saharawi boy scouts sang national chants and nomads on camels waved the Polisario Front's flag amid the loud traditional "you-you" cries of refugee women.

Urquhart and her running partner, Alain Jacques, 27, a retail manager, said they'd heard of the marathon through the running circuit in Canada and had signed up on the Internet.

"We plan to do a marathon on each continent," Jacques said as they warmed up for the race in Laayoune, a refugee camp named after Western Sahara's capital, which is under Moroccan control.

Miguel Martin de Vega, a university professor in Castilla de la Mancha who had brought 75 students to spend a week in refugee schools, said taking part was "a way to show international solidarity with the Saharawis."

The marathon was less a competition than a symbol for many refugees.

"We appreciate that they're coming, but we'd like independence even more," said Um Barka Sidi, a refugee woman who cheered on the competitors as they ran across the rocky sand steppes.

"Our goal is for everybody to enjoy, and for outsiders to realize how Saharawis have to live," said Mohammed Sid Ahmed Bougleida, the national sports director for the Polisario, which co-organizes the race with partners in Spain and Italy.

High-profile runners such as 1995 world marathon champion Martin Fiz help promote the cause for Saharawi independence, he said.

The runners "learn a lot from the families they live with," Bougleida said. "And for the Saharawis it's an opening to the outside world," he added, noting that most refugees never leave their camps in the Sahara.

Reaching out to the Sahrawi people: Student Peace Prize for Human Rights Activist


European Students' Union (ESU)

23 February 2009

It's a long-disputed, largely neglected and forgotten corner of North Africa. But finally, Western Sahara has something to celebrate with the announcement that one of its citizens, Rabab Amidane, is this year's winner of the Student Peace Prize 2009. Amidane was awarded the Prize for her work on human rights, students' rights and peace in the controversial territory.

Western Sahara was a Spanish colony up until 1975, when the Spainish withdrew. Morocco invaded the same year and has occupied the country ever since. Much of the population is confined to a miserable existence in refugee camps in Algeria, and the people still in Western Sahara itself live under strict surveillance by the Moroccan police and with a constant threat of violent repression if they show dissent to Moroccan rule.

Through her work, Amidane is making a considerable contribution to alerting the world to the discrimination and violence that the Sahrawis are exposed to by the Moroccan Government. What makes her work all the more impressive is that even though Amidane herself has always used peaceful means in her fight for human rights, she has been exposed to torture and arrested by the Moroccan police on several occasions and also seen her brother sentenced to five years in jail and her sister arrested and beaten for speaking out about the situation.

The Prize comes in recognition of her extensive work which focuses heavily on documenting the situation in Western Sahara through photography and writing reports for the Sahrawi human rights organisation, CODESA. She has even taken the brave step of publishing videos on the internet of students being attacked by the police, which led to her receiving anonymous threats to her safety. Amidane has also worked tirelessly to highlight the situation of the Sahrawi people of Western Sahara at international level through travelling abroad and lobbying European political leaders. This included a trip to Norway in 2007 to meet meet with Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg in which she called for political support for Western Sahara's independence from Morocco.

According to Sigrun Espe, leader of the Student Peace Prize Committee 2009, Amidane was a natural candidate for this year's Prize. "The reason why Rabab Amidane was awarded this year's Peace Prize is precisely because of her involvement with students' rights and human rights in Western Sahara, and her contribution to a peaceful solution to the conflict. Additionally, Rabab is a strong and charismatic woman, and she speaks English, both of which have helped her to build up a strong international network."

"By giving the Student Peace Prize to Rabab Amidane the conflict is becoming more visible, which is an important contribution to peace in Western Sahara," claims member of the Student Peace Prize Committee and former leader of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Ole Danbolt Mjøs. "The conflict in Western Sahara has been going on for more than thirty years, but only a few people know about the violation of human rights committed by the Moroccan government. A referendum about Western Sahara's right to self determination should have been carried out a long time ago, but nothing has happened yet. "The Student Peace Prize can contribute to carrying through the referendum promise, and to a just peace in Western Sahara," continues Mjøs.

ESU has been following the work of Amidane since 2007 and extends its warmest congratulations to her on this Prize. We will continue to support her work and that of other Sahrawi students fighting for the right to self-determination in Western Sahara.

UN envoy commits to Saharawi self-determination


Associated Press (AP)
RABOUNI, Western Sahara
22. February 2009


By ALFRED de MONTESQUIOU

The United Nations' new envoy to the Western Sahara on Sunday reasserted
the Saharawi people's right to self-determination, a stance that could
further complicate negotiations with Morocco, which refuses any such
solution to the long-standing conflict. Christopher Ross said his main
goal was to restart peace talks between Moroccans and the Polisario
Front to end the conflict that has dragged on since Morocco annexed the
desert territory in 1975. Negotiations must tend to "a solution that
includes the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination," Ross
said in speech he read in Arabic to the Saharawi president-in-exile and
an assembly of ministers and chiefs from the nomadic tribes that make up
Western Sahara. Talks between Morocco and the Polisario independence
movement have stalled for nearly a year since Morocco backtracked on a
U.N. plan for a referendum to determine Western Sahara's future. Morocco
wants negotiations to focus instead on its proposal for enlarged
autonomy. Ross was appointed U.N. envoy in January after his
predecessor, Peter van Walsum, angered the Polisario by calling its
demands for independence unrealistic. Ross declined to comment on when
negotiations might resume or whether Morocco's King Mohamed VI, whom he
met earlier this week, had agreed to the idea of again discussing
self-determination. He did not explicitly mention any possible timing
for a referendum, but his call for "a political solution mutually
acceptable to Morocco and the Polisario" was perceived by the Saharawis
as strong backing. "It's positive, Ross told me he'd work on reopening
negotiations without preconditions," said Mohamed Abdelaziz, the
Saharawi president-in-exile. "He could truly contribute to solving this
conflict," Abdelaziz told The Associated Press in an interview after
Ross' departure for the capital of neighboring Algeria, Algiers. Morocco
said it had no immediate comment. "We will react after having closely
examined the special envoy's statement," the country's information
minister and government spokesman, Khalid Naciri, told The Associated
Press on Sunday. Morocco wants to reopen talks with the condition that
they focus only on its autonomy plan, not a referendum. Talks have been
on and off since fighting ended in 1991. The referendum plan included in
the cease-fire deal never took place because the two sides cannot agree
on voting lists. Morocco wants to include the 100,000 settlers it
brought to Western Sahara, while the Polisario wants to count only the
original residents and the 160,000 Saharawi refugees now living in camps
near Algeria.

Associated Press Writer Hassan Alaoui contributed to this
report in Rabat, Morocco.

88 partis et organisations politiques adoptent une résolution en faveur du peuple du Sahara Occidental à Athènes (Grèce)


Athène, 88 délégations représentant des partis, des organisations politiques, présentes au 18eme Congrès du Parti Communistes Grec, ont cosigné avec celui-ci une résolution dans laquelle, elles expriment leur solidarité avec peuple sahraoui, qui lutte sous la direction du Front POLISARIO, pour son droit inaliénable à l’autodétermination et à l’indépendance.

Les participants dénoncent également la politique de répression et de violations des droits de l’homme menée par les autorités d’occupation marocaines contre les populations sahraouies, demandant la libération des prisonniers politiques sahraouis, et l’ouverture des territoires occupés du Sahara Occidental, aux observateurs et à la presse internationale .

Tout en appuyant la poursuite des négociations directes entre le Front POLISARIO et le Royaume du Maroc, "ce afin de parvenir à une solution juste, pacifique et définitive du conflit conforme au droit international".

Les signataires demandent à l’Union Européenne d’exclure le Sahara Occidental dans " le statut avancé octroyé au Maroc" et exigent la révision de l’accord de pêche signé avec le Maroc pour inclure illégalement les eaux maritimes du Sahara Occidental, territoire qui fait l’objet d’un processus de décolonisation, et dont les ressources doivent être préservés de toute exploitation iilicite.

Mohamed Sidati, ministre délégué pour l’Europe, membre du Secrétariat National qui représentait le Front POLISARIO au Congrès du parti KKE, a participé à un grand meeting de Solidarité avec la lutte du peuple sahraoui, organisé à Athènes, à l’occasion de ce congrès..

Par ailleurs le diplomate sahraoui a été reçu au Ministère des affaires étrangères Grecque et a eu des entretiens avec Paulina Lampsa, responsable des relations internationales du PASOK, ainsi qu’avec la Direction de la coalition de la gauche (Synaspismos)..

La résolution rappelle enfin, que la question du Sahara Occidental est un problème décolonisation dont la solution est liée au libre exercice par le peuple sahraoui de son droit inaliénable à l’autodétermination et à l’indépendance.

Conférence internationale de l’urbanisme et la reconstruction des territoires libérés


(Envoyés spéciaux)

Tifariti, (Territoires libérés), La localité de Tifariti libéré abritera à partir de mercredi les travaux de la conférence internationale autour de l’urbanisation et la reconstruction des territoires libérés, en présence des centaines des représentants sahraouis et des dizaines de professeurs est spécialistes invités des différentes universités et institutions étrangères.

"Cette conférence prévue par l’université autonome de Madrid, en collaboration avec le ministère de coopération de la RASD, trois axes principaux sont prévus à savoir : urbanisme et reconstruction des territoires libérés, la langue espagnole et son usage au Sahara Occidental et le fondement de l’université sahraouie", a déclaré le ministre de la construction et de l’urbanisation des territoires libérés, Salek Babbih.

"Au programme de rencontré de deux jours , des conférences politiques, l’organisation des tables rondes et des ateliers pour débattre les idées et changer les points de vues autour de ses questions", a ajouté M.Salek.

“Les professeurs et spécialistes invités pour échanger les points de vue avec les responsables sahraouis pour parvenir à des résultats qui seront soumis à la conférence internationale prévue en mai prochain en Espagne, avec la participation des représentants de toutes les universités espagnoles", a précisé le responsable sahraoui.

Les délégations étrangères ont visité ce mardi, les sites archéologiques de région ainsi que les portraits rupestres de Rkiz et durant la nuit une soirée artistique est prévue à leur honneur.

La localité de Tifariti est situé dans l’Est du Sahara Occidental, dans la zone controlée par la deuxième región militaire de l’Armée de libération populaire sahrouie (ALPS). Elle a été libérée en mars 1979 et se trouve actuellement sous le contrôle du de l’ALPS .

Actuellement Tifariti est dotée d’un hôpital moderne, d’une école en plus de la construction des logements publics dans le cadre du projet d’urbanisation et de reconstruction des territoires libérés de la RASD, rappelle-t-on.

Le président de la République procède à la remise des prix du Sahara marathon 2009


Smara (camps de réfugiés sahraouis), Le président de la République, Mohamed Abdelaziz a procédé mardi à la wilaya de Smara à la remise des prix aux lauréats de la 9ème édition du Sahara marathon qui s’est déroulé lundi entre les wilaya d’El Aaiun, Aousserd et Smara.

La cérémonie s’est déroulée en présence des membres du Secrétariat national et du Front Polisario et du gouvernement de la RASD , ainsi que des athlètes et participants au Sahara marathon 2009.

Le Chef de l’Etat a salué les participants venus des différents pays qui ont, a-t-il dit, exprimé à travers le sport, "leur soutien à la juste cause du peuple sahraoui pour le recouvrement de ses droits inaliénables à l’autodétermination et à l’indépendance".

Il a également soulignant que cet évènement sportif "est un moyen pour la sensibilisation de l’opinion internationale autour de la question du Sahara occidental".

Pour sa part le secrétaire d’Etat à la jeunesse et du sport, Mohamed Fadel Mohamed Mouloud a demandé aux participants et athlètes de cette édition d’être "des prophètes de la paix au sein de leur pays d’origine, afin de leur transmettre la réalité des dures conditions vécues par le peuple sahraoui dans cette zone inhospitalière de la planète depuis plus de 33 ans".

La 9ème édition du marathon du Sahara occidental, marquant le début des festivités du 33ème anniversaire de la proclamation de le République arabe sahraouie démocratique (RASD), s’est déroulé, lundi dans les camps des réfugiés sahraouis à Tindouf, avec la participation de plus de 500 participants venus d’une vingtaine de Pays, rappelle-t-on.

Une ONG appelle l’Espagne à soutenir le droit à l’autodétermination du peuple sahraoui


Madrid, La Coordination espagnole des associations de soutien au peuple sahraoui (CEAS) a appelé de nouveau le Gouvernement espagnol à soutenir le droit à l’autodétermination de ce peuple, tout en le dénonçant pour avoir accepté le "fait accompli de l’occupation militaire marocaine" du Sahara occidental.

Dans une lettre ouverte au ministre espagnol des Affaires étrangères, Miguel Angel Moratinos, à l’occasion de sa rencontre mardi à Washington avec son homologue américaine, Hillary Clinton, et de la visite, mercredi à Madrid, de l’envoyé spécial du secrétaire général de l’ONU pour le Sahara occidental, Christopher Ross, l’ONG demande à l’exécutif espagnol d’exprimer la "nécessité urgente de respecter la volonté démocratique du peuple sahraoui et de faciliter l’exercice de son droit à l’autodétermination sans aucune entrave".

Rappelant que l’Espagne "n’a pas changé" de position à l’égard de ce conflit, la coordination constate que ce pays "s'éloigne de jour en jour de la défense du droit à l’autodétermination du peuple sahraoui, pourtant reconnu par l’ensemble des résolutions de l’ONU depuis les années 1960" et "accepte le fait accompli de l’occupation militaire par la force" de cette ancienne colonie sur laquelle l’Espagne "a encore des responsabilités".

"En soutenant la proposition marocaine d’autonomie pour le Sahara occidental, comme s’il s’agissait d’un problème interne du Maroc, le gouvernement espagnol contredit la légalité internationale et sabote les efforts de Christopher Ross dans la recherche d’un accord entre les parties, sans conditions préalables, pour impulser un nouveau round de négociations de Manhasset sous les auspices de l’ONU", souligne la CEAS dans sa lettre.

Pour elle, une telle position "ne contribue en rien" à rendre possible une "solution juste et durable" du conflit, estimant que "tout Gouvernement responsable devrait défendre clairement et sans ambages une solution dans le cadre de la légalité internationale".

"Soutenir la discussion autour du plan marocain d’autonomie, en oubliant tous les autres plans adoptés antérieurement par l’ONU avec l’accord des parties, y compris également celui présenté par le Front Polisario, ne peut que contribuer à renforcer l’intransigeance du Maroc et l’encourager dans son attitude consistant à refuser de discuter de manière sérieuse et sans conditions préalables de toutes les possibilités faisant partie d’une négociation", a ajouté l’ONG espagnole.

Elle a exprimé, par ailleurs, sa préoccupation devant la "violation continue" des droits de l’homme de la part du Maroc dans les territoires sahraouis occupés, et réitéré son appel à "l’arrêt immédiat" de toute vente de matériel militaire à ce pays.

Un pays qui "viole les droits humains et en conflit permanent avec ses voisins, qui continue d’occuper par la force un territoire qui ne lui appartient pas, qui refuse d’accomplir les résolutions internationales et qui veut annexer par la force le Sahara occidental", a-t-elle dénoncé.

Solidarité avec le peuple sahraoui : une délégation de plus de 140 Français attendue jeudi dans les camps de réfugiés


Chahid El Hafed, Une délégation de solidarité avec le peuple sahraoui, composée de plus de 140 personnalités parlementaires, d'élus municipaux et des représentants de la société civile française, est attendue jeudi dans les camps des réfugiés sahraouis, a indiqué mardi une source sahraouie.

La délégation française, la première du genre, prendra part aux activités du 33ème anniversaire de la proclamation de la République arabe sahraoui démocratique.
Il s'agit de la première visite d'une délégation de la société civile française de cette importance dans les camps des réfugiés sahraouis , a précisé la même source, soulignant "l'importance politique" de cette visite, qui rentre dans le cadre de la sensibilisation de la société civile d'un pays membre du club des amis du Sahara occidental à la cause sahraouie.

La délégation de solidarité de représentants de la société civile française arrivera jeudi à Tindouf à bord d'un vol spécial de Paris pour se rendre dans le camp des réfugiés El-Ayoun afin d'assister à une partie des festivités du 33ème anniversaire de la proclamation de la RASD, a-t-on ajouté de même source.

Une délégation algérienne, composée d'élus locaux, de parlementaires et de représentants de la société civile, est également attendue le même jour à Tindouf.

Un complexe sportif dédié aux jeunes réfugiés sahraouis sera édifié prochainement


Smara (Camps des réfugiés sahraouis), Un complexe sportif
dédié aux jeunes réfugiés sahraouis sera édifié dans le camp de Dakhla (camp
de réfugiés), grâce aux dons des ONG collectés lors de la 8ème édition du marathon
du Sahara occidental, a indiqué lundi M. Mohamed Bouglida, président du Comité
olympique sportif sahraoui.

M. Bouglida, qui a souligné dans une déclaration à la presse le rôle du sport pour la sensibilisation de l’opinion internationale à la cause sahraouie, a affirmé qu’un complexe sportif dédié aux jeunes sahraouis réfugiés dans les camps de réfugiés sahraouis, "sera construit prochainement à Dakhla, grâce aux dons de différentes ONG ayant participé à la 8ème édition du marathon du Sahara occidental qui a eu lieu l’année passée".

Tout en affirmant qu’une école de formation sportive, destinée aux jeunes athlètes sahraouis, est également dans le programme des autorités sahraouies, il a annoncé que des accords seront signés avec le ministère algérien de la Jeunesse et des Sports, pour la formation et la préparation d’équipes et athlètes sahraouis.

M. Boughida a estimé que "le sport est un autre moyen de sensibilisation de l’opinion internationale à la cause du peuple sahraoui. Il est un outil susceptible d’aider à sensibiliser la communauté internationale à une prise de conscience sur la situation que vit le peuple du Sahara occidental".

L'Algérien Zeyani Abderrazagh remporte la première médaille du Sahara marathon 2009


Smara (camps de réfugiés), L'Algérien, Zeyani Abderrazagh, a remporté, lundi à la wilaya de Smara, la première médaille de la 9ème édition du Sahara marathon disputée entre les wilayas d'El Aaiun et Smara sur la distance réglementaire de 42, 159 Km, inaugurant ainsi les festivités du 33ème anniversaire de la proclamation de la République arabe sahraouie démocratique (RASD).

Les autres compétitions qui ont porté sur des distances de 21, 10 et 5 Km, ont été également gagnées par des algériens, selon les organisateurs.

La première médaille du 21 km a été remportée par Sakhri Azzdine et la 2ème a été gagnée par l'Espagnole, Maria Jinane, alors que les 10 et 5 km ont été remportées par les algériens, Salim Samir et Sadik Ouqba.

Plusieurs athlètes et participants étrangers à cette édition, jeunes des deux sexes, notamment des animateurs d’association de solidarité avec le peuple sahraoui.des cinq continents, ont affirmé qu'ils participent à ce rendez-vous sportif en signe de solidarité avec le combat du peuple et de la jeunesse sahraouis.

A la veille de la tenue de cette manifestation internationale, plusieurs représentants d’associations internationales de solidarité avec le peuple sahraoui ont souligné que leur venue dans les camps des réfugiés et leur contribution à la réussite de cet évènement annuel est un soutien à la lutte du peuple sahraoui pour le recouvrement de ses droits.

Le coup d'envoi de la 9ème édition du Sahara marathon a été donné à la wilaya d'El Aaiun par le Secrétariat d'Etat à la jeunesse et du sport, Mohamed Mouloud Mohamed Fadel en présence du wali d'El Aaiun, Mohamed Lamine Dedi et des organisateurs, rappelle-t-on.

Le Polisario réitère sa disponibilité à coopérer pleinement avec les efforts de l'ONU pour la solution du conflit


Chahid El Hafed, Le président de la République, Mohamed Abdelaziz a réitéré la disponibilité du Front Polisario, à coopérer pleinement de "façon constructive" avec les efforts de l'ONU en vue d'une solution au conflit du Sahara Occidental, conformément à la légalité internationale, à l'issue de sa rencontre avec le nouvel envoyé personnel du SG de l'ONU pour le Sahara Occidental, Christopher Ross.

"Le Front Polisario, unique représentant légitime du peuple, réitère sa disponibilité à coopérer pleinement et de façon constructive avec les efforts de l'ONU en vue d'une solution au conflit du Sahara Occidental, conformément à la légalité internationale", a-t-il ajouté.

"Le Front Polisario est prêt à reprendre des négociations sans conditions avec le Maroc sous les auspices de l'ONU, dans le cadre du respect de toutes les résolutions onusiennes et des efforts et plans de l'ONU qui appellent à la décolonisation et au droit inaliénable du peuple sahraoui à l'autodétermination".

"Nous tendons la main pour la stricte application de la légalité internationale partant de la Charte de l'ONU et des résolutions onusiennes pour imposer la justice, la sécurité, la paix, la stabilité et la prospérité dans la région", a-t-il martelé.

"A cette occasion, nous renouvelons notre demande à l'ONU à user de ses efforts pour la libération immédiate de tous les prisonniers politiques sahraouis qui se trouvent dans les prisons marocaines, ainsi qu'à faire toute la lumière sur le sort de plus de 500 disparus civils et 151 prisonniers de guerre sahraouis au main du royaume marocain", a souligné M. Abdelaziz.

Il a également sollicité de l'ONU à prendre les mesures nécessaires pour l'élargissement des compétences de la mission de la Minurso à la protection et le contrôle de la situation des droits de l'Homme dans les territoires occupés du Sahara Occidental, dans l'attente qu'elle (ONU) assume sa mission principale et urgente à savoir, la tenue d'un référendum libre, juste et transparent pour l'autodétermination du peuple sahraoui.

L'audience entre le président de la République, Mohamed Abdelaziz et Christopher Ross s'est déroulé en présence du bureau du Secrétariat national du Front Polisario et du ministre délégué auprès du MAE chargé de l'Afrique, Mohamed Yeslem Beissat.

La rencontre de M.Ross avec la délégation sahraouie lui a permis de prendre connaissance de la position sahraouie (responsable)


Complexe Houssein Tamek (camps de réfugiés sahraouis), Le ministre délégué aux Affaires africaines auprès du MAE, M. Mohamed Yeslem Beissat a affirmé samedi que "la rencontre entre l'envoyé personnel du secrétaire général des Nations unies au Sahara Occidental, M. Christopher Ross et la délégation sahraouie a permis (à l'envoyé onusien) de prendre connaissance de la position sahraouie".

M. Beissat a ajouté à l'issue de cette rencontre que cette dernière a constitué une opportunité pour informer M. Ross de la situation des Sahraouis vivant dans les camps de réfugiés depuis près de 33 ans au moment où la Minurso ne s'est pas acquittée de son rôle dans l'organisation d'un référendum garantissant au peuple sahraoui son droit à l'autodétermination''.

Dans une déclaration à la presse, le ministre sahraoui a souligné que les Nations unies "doivent intervenir pour trouver une solution rapide et appliquer la légalité internationale pour le règlement du conflit".

Le chef de la délégation sahraouie aux négociations, représentant de la RASD auprès de la Minurso, M. Mahfoud Ali Beiba, le ministre des Affaires étrangères, M'hamed Khadad, le conseiller à la présidence sahraouie, M. Salem Ould Salek et M. Bachir Seghier ont assisté, du coté sahraoui, à cette rencontre, qui s'est tenue samedi soir.

Le coordinateur sahraoui avec la Minurso, M. M'hamed Khadad a relevé, à l'arrivée de l'envoyé personnel du secrétaire général de l'ONU aux camps de réfugiés, "la volonté" qui anime M. Ross, conscient qu'il est, de la responsabilité des Nations unies dans le parachèvement du processus de décolonisation du Sahara Occidental.

M. Ross, qui a entamé samedi sa visite dans les camps de réfugiés sahraouis, se rendra, demain dimanche, aux institutions sahraouies avant de rencontrer le président sahraoui, M. Mohamed Abdelaziz.

Marathon runners trek across Western Sahara


Marathon runners from more than two dozen countries raced through the rock-strewn desert of Western Sahara on Monday to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the conflict-ridden territory s call for independence.

Mostly Spaniards and other Westerners, the competitors covered 42.1 kilometres of what organizers say is a safe circuit because it s next to refugee camps. The area is near Algeria and far from the front line of the Western Sahara s conflict.

About 450 racers from 26 countries took part. The course runs between two of the sprawling camps where many of the 160,000 ethnic Saharawi refugees live in mud houses and tents on the border with Algeria .

The number of racers has more than tripled since the annual event began in 2001, organizers said. Conditions are Spartan: The racers have no running water or electricity; they eat ethnic Saharawi food; they are housed in refugees homes or tents because there is no hotel in Western Sahara .

The Sahara Marathon was part of celebrations for the anniversary of the Polisario Front s declaration of independence in 1976. Morocco holds two-thirds of the territory, while the United Nations strives to revive negotiations between Moroccans and the Polisario that have dragged on and off since a 1991 cease-fire.

While Western Sahara is one of the world s oldest conflict zones, competitors appeared unfazed about running through a no man s land held by Polisario troops and some 150,000 Moroccan soldiers guarding the 2,575-mile barrier of barbed wire, walls and five million land mines.

"People think Africa is stressful, but it s really fine," said Tracy Urquhart, a 37-year-old office assistant from Kitchener, Ont.

"This race is a really unique experience," she said, as Saharawi boy scouts sang national chants and nomads on camels waved the Polisario Front s flag amid the loud traditional "you-you" cries of refugee women.

Urquhart and her running partner, Alain Jacques, 27, a retail manager, said they d heard of the marathon through the running circuit in Canada and had signed up on the Internet.

"We plan to do a marathon on each continent," Jacques said as they warmed up for the race in Laayoune, a refugee camp named after Western Sahara s capital, which is under Moroccan control.

Miguel Martin de Vega, a university professor in Castilla de la Mancha who had brought 75 students to spend a week in refugee schools, said taking part was "a way to show international solidarity with the Saharawis."

The marathon was less a competition than a symbol for many refugees.

"We appreciate that they re coming, but we d like independence even more," said Um Barka Sidi, a refugee woman who cheered on the competitors as they ran across the rocky sand steppes.

"Our goal is for everybody to enjoy, and for outsiders to realize how Saharawis have to live," said Mohammed Sid Ahmed Bougleida, the national sports director for the Polisario, which co-organizes the race with partners in Spain and Italy .

High-profile runners such as 1995 world marathon champion Martin Fiz help promote the cause for Saharawi independence, he said.

The runners "learn a lot from the families they live with," Bougleida said. "And for the Saharawis it s an opening to the outside world," he added, noting that most refugees never leave their camps in the Sahara .

Flags fly for Western Sahara


Flag raising ceremonies will mark the 33rd anniversary of the Saharawi Republic in most states for the first time in Australia, as a gesture of solidarity and friendship with the people of Western Sahara.

On February 27, ceremonies will take place at the Victorian branch of the Australian Workers Union, the Western Australian branch of the Maritime Union of Australia, Geelong and Regions Trades and Labour Council and other designated places in Newcastle, Sydney, Hobart, and Darwin.

Thirty-three years ago, the people of Western Sahara declared a republic to fill the vacuum left by the withdrawal of Spain, the then colonial power.

In 33 years, they have achieved a great deal. The state is a member of the African Union and is recognised by more than 80 countries worldwide. In the refugee camps, they have established democratic institutions and have improved the rights of women. Literacy rates in their nation are now above 90%, one of the highest in Africa.

Jose Ramos Horta, president of East Timor, has said: “Western Sahara could be a beacon of democracy in the Middle East and the Maghreb and, as a moderate secular state of an Islamic people, would be a bridge between the Islamic states and the rest of Africa.”

More than 100 UN resolutions have called for the organisation of a referendum to allow the Saharawis to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination but Morocco has been able to obstruct the process and defy international legality.

It is time that the Australian government followed the example of South Africa and gave full diplomatic status to the Saharawi Republic until such times as the Saharawi are given the opportunity to vote, as promised by the United Nations-brokered ceasefire.

(Ron Guy is from the Australian Western Sahara Association)

UPES website blocked in Mauritania and disappears from GOOGLE news in Arabic


Mauritanian medias’ sources indicated Today that the website of the Saharawi Journalists’ and writers’ Union (UPES) was blocked in Mauritania, and disappeared from the news page of GOOGLE Arabic, knowing that it used to be the main source of information about Western Sahara on GOOGLE.ae.

The same sources affirmed that this is the first time that a Saharawi website is blocked to internet navigators in the neighbouring country of Mauritania.

No more information are available on the sides behind this new attack against the Saharawi website. And it was only thanks to some faithful visitors to the website that the news about the blockage of the site was known to UPES staff.

The same sources indicated that the navigator has got to visit the website through Proxies, since Sunday, when they were definitely sure that it was intentionally blocked.

At the meantime, the website disappeared from the GOOGLE Arabic news page.

The Secretary General of the UPES, Malainin Lakhal, declared that it is still too early to accuse or to hold any side accountable for the blockage of the website in Mauritania, before some facts and proofs are found.

He considered, nevertheless, that the blockage of the UPES website is “a shameful attitude and doesn’t meet the standards and principles of freedom of expression, freedom of journalism, and the freedom of exchange and reception of information”.

With regards to GOOGLE Arabic, he estimated that the international search website is “asked to unveil the real reasons behind this attitude against a website that has never called to violence or to any violations of ethics and human principles and rights”.

He also considered the blockage of UPES website from the GOOGLE Arabic “another form of complicity with the Moroccan regime and the Moroccan Medias siege on the Saharawi people”.

It should be recalled that the Moroccans are usually targeting the Saharawi websites, especially the pages that unveil Rabat’s massive human rights violations in the occupied territories of Western Sahara.

UPES calls on all international journalists’ organisations and associations concerned about freedom to openly condemn this new attack against the freedom of press and freedom of expression against the Saharawi WebPages and journalists.

UPES also recalled that one of its members, Mr. Mustapha Abd Daiem, short stories writer and journalist, is still detained in the Moroccan prison of Inzegan, because of his political opinions and engagement in favour of the independence of Western Sahara.