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WEEKS 03-04 : 15.01.-28.01.2006 |
19-23.01.05,
World Social Forum, Bamako
A Saharawi delegation of 26 people took part in the 6th World Social
Forum in Bamako. The question of the Sahara was on the workshop
program within the topic of "War and peace", under the title of
"Sahara, last colony of Africa". As at other international meetings,
Moroccan hecklers tried to prevent the discussion. An exhibition on
the peaceful resistance of the Saharawi population in the occupied
territories of Western Sahara and in southern Morocco was also on
display. A folk group, Tiris performed during several musical
evenings.
Several support committees for the Saharawi people participated in
the Forum. In the context of the workshop "Commitment of women for
freedom and democracy", organised by AFASPA, Maïma Mahmoud Najem
spoke of the struggle of the Saharawi women.
19-21.01.06,
African Union Summit, Executive Council
The Executive Council (Council of Ministers) adopted the report of
its committee for the last semester, which expresses its "concern"
about "the continual blockage of the peace process and the growing
frustration of the people of Western Sahara", and considers that the
situation "merits quite particular attention from the international
community".
23-24.01.06,
African Union Summit, Meeting of Heads of State and Government,
Khartoum
The African Union's Council for peace and security, in its report,
declared that the international community "should make evident a
greater determination to ensure the implementation of the United
Nations peace plan and the UN Security Council resolutions pertaining
to the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara". A
Saharawi delegation took part in the work of this 6th summit.
[SPS]
20.01.06,
South America
The President of the Republic, Mohamed Abdelaziz, took part in a
ceremony of investiture in La Paz of the new Bolivian President, Evo
Morales. Bolivia and SADR have close ties of cooperation and
friendship since the recognition of SADR by Bolivia on 14 December
1982. The Bolivian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Armando Loaisa,
reiterated "the support of his country for the struggle of the
Saharawi people for its independence", in a statement to the Bolivian
paper, La Opinion.
At the same time, the Moroccan Minister for Foreign Affairs was received by the governments of Paraguay, Brazil, Colombia and Peru, the Moroccan Minister for Industry negotiated with the Mexican government and the Moroccan Prime Minister met the authorities of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.
23-24.01.06,
Mauritania
The Minister for the occupied territories and Saharawi communities
abroad, and special envoy of the Saharawi President, Mr El Khalil
Sid'M'hamed, was received in Nouakchott by the President of the
Military Council for Justice and Democracy, Colonel Ely Ould Mohamed
Vall. The next day the Saharawi Minister met representatives of
political parties, in succession, the Union of the Democratic Centre,
The Mauritanian Popular Front and the Democratic Alternative for
Mauritania.
27-29.01.06,
Galicia, Spain
The SADR President, Mr Mohamed Abdelaziz, carried out an official
visit to Galicia, "with the intention of reinforcing political and
humanitarian relations with this region in Spain's north west". He
met the President of the regional government, Socialist, Emilio Perez
Tourinio, Anxo Quintana, Vice-President of the Galician
Nationalist Bloc, and the President of the Parliament, Dolores
Villarino, as well as various other Galician personalities. During a
press conference, Quintana declared himself in favour of relations on
government level between SADR and Galicia.
OCCUPIED TERRITORIES AND SOUTH MOROCCO
13.01.06,
Smara
Mohamed Mohamed Embarek was arrested by the Moroccan forces of
occupation and taken to a detention centre where he was badly treated
for several hours before being abandoned in the street.
13.01.06,
Dakhla
Young Saharawis brandished the SADR flag in the middle of the street
and chanted slogans in favour of the Saharawi people's right to
self-determination and independence. The Moroccan forces of
repression intervened brutally using truncheons and pursuing the
young demonstrators.
14.01.06,
Funeral in El Ayoun of the young Saharawi killed by police on 30
October last, Lembarki Hamdi Salek Mahjoub.
The atmosphere in the town at the time of the funeral is described by
an anti-independentist association in the following way:
"...thousands of members of the forces of order from all bodies mixed
together patrol the town of Laayoune this morning to parry any
demonstration of a separatist character during the funeral of
Lembarki Hamdi. (...) Nearly all cars carrying more than three
persons are stopped, identity check followed by "interrogation"
(Where are you going? Why are you together? What type of link exists
between you?...) In the streets and boulevards of Laayoune, any
gathering of more than four persons is forbidden. Trucks and vans
packed with all types of forces of order are stationed in a
provocative manner every "hundred metres". (Association Le Sahara
Marocain).
Two and a half
months after the death the Moroccan authorities, who have still not
made public the autopsy report, demanded the burial took place at a
cemetery 10 km to the east of the town. An imposing crowd took part
in the ceremony, surrounded by lots of SADR flags. [
more
infos]
[photos]
[+ photos]
[video]
Moroccan forces of repression intervened against the participants
on their return to El Ayoun, arresting several people and ransacking
houses. Laaseri Saaid and Hamoudi Ahl Laabeid were arrested outside
the headquarters of MINURSO, "for having participated in the funeral
and for having tried to take refuge in the UN building". According to
a correspondent, the forces of repression are now attacking the most
vulnerable Saharawi citizens, especially old people and children in
order to put pressure on their relatives who, for the most part, are
activists calling for the immediate departure of the Moroccan
occupant from Western Sahara.
14.01.06,
Smara
At least three people were arrested in the course of demonstrations
sparked off by the burial of Lembarki Hamdi. Moulaye Ahmed
Elouadnouni, Soueilim Amidan and Labeidi Karoum were mistreated
before being released after several hours' detention.
[SPS]
17.01.05,
Release of Aminatou Haidar
The Saharawi human rights activist left prison after being held for
seven months' in the Black Prison. The Moroccan authorities, having
prevented the family from organising a welcome for her in their home,
the reception was held in Lemleihess, 35 km east of El
Ayoun.
Several people
on their way to Lemleihess were the object of intimidation and
harrassment by the police forces, who had installed three road blocks
between El Ayoun and Smara. Maisara Dahan, brother of Brahim Dahan,
President of the Saharawi Association for victims of serious abuses
committed by the Moroccan state in Western Sahara, was arrested
leaving El Ayoun to go to the reception, he was carrying a Saharawi
flag. The Dahan family's house, as well as that of the Kaziza and
Abba Lefdil families, were ransacked by the police. Lemleihess was
surrounded at a distance by a heavy police cordon.
Hundreds of Saharawis, arriving from different towns in occupied
Western Sahara and southern Morocco, took part in the ceremony. An
enormous SADR flag floated about their heads.
In her speech, Aminatou thanked the population for their support and recalled that other Saharawi human rights defenders are still incarcerated. She invited the Saharawis to continue their struggle until total independence and called on the international community to apply more pressure on the Moroccan government to make it stop human rights abuses against the Saharawi people.
After the reception the repression began again. Four people at least were arrested. Some were prevented from returning to El Ayoun, including Hamudi Iguilid, president of the local branch of the AMDH. When the demonstrators had left, the tents and houses on the ground were closely searched and eight young Saharawi were arrested, including a minor of 12 years, later released. A car which the Haidair family had hired to carry its baggage was confiscated and the driver arrested. Aminatou Haidar's family was expelled by force from Lemleihess and driven to El Ayoun. For having taken part in the ceremony, a schoolboy, Sidahmdat Garah ould Brahim, born in 1992, was arrested at his home by criminal investigation agents, taken to the police station where he was beaten. He was released but threatened with prison if he took part in another demonstration. [more info, reports, press...] [photos]
18.01.06,
solidarity
The President of the European Parliament's intergroup, "Peace for the
Saharawi People", Karin Scheele, expressed her satisfaction with the
release of the Saharawi human rights activist, Aminatou Haidar,
calling on the Moroccan state to release all the other Saharawi
political prisoners. [declaracion]
The Saharawi president, the Saharawi political prisoners still in
prison, the Arab committee for support for the Saharawi people,
AARASD and CORELSO (France) have also sent messages on this
occasion.
A popular meeting was organised in the refugee camps in Tindouf as a
sign of solidarity with Aminatou Haidar. Khadijetou Hamdi, a member
of the Executive of the National Union of Saharawi Women, in charge
of information, announced the creation of a permanent committee of
help for the Intifada of Independence.
17.01.06
Two Saharawis, Corporal Elhiba Ahmed Mahmoud and a former soldier,
Yahia Mohamed Elhafed were abducted from their homes in El Ayoun by
the police and transferred to the military barracks in Bensergaw
(Agadir).
This measure was taken after the participation of their relatives in
the peaceful demonstrations for self-determnation and independence
taking place since 21 May 2005. At the military barracks of Bensergaw
in Agadir, they started a open-ended hunger strike on 24 January to
claim their rights and to contest the forced transfer to which they
were subjected. They call for their return to El Ayoun. The state of
health of Elhiba is precarious.
Yahya Mohamed El Hafed, alias Azza, had already been the victim of
forced incarceration of several days in
September 2004.
Elhiba
Mohamed Mahmoud Razzak
had been abducted on 3 November 2005 and taken to the military
barracks of Bensergaw /Agadir.
18.01.06,
forced transfer
A Saharawi citizen, Boudaakane Mohamed Laaroussi, working within the
Moroccan army, 4th regiment, registered as n° 74/19719, was
removed from his place of work in El Ayoun and transferred to
Bouizakaren (southern Morocco). This forced transfer took place after
the participation of his relatives in demonstrations.
23.01.06,
Assa
Demonstration calling for the immediate and unconditional release of
all Saharawi political detainees and welcoming that of the Saharawi
human rights activist, Aminatou Haidar.
[SPS]
23.01.06, El
Ayoun
A 16 year-old girl, Aichetu Yahfdu, was taken hostage in a police van
and mistreated for several hours with three other young girls by GUS
agents after coming out of a cybercafé on Avenue
Boucraa.
24.01.2006,
Dakhla
The Urban Groups of Security GUS have made their appearance in
Dakhla, where Saharawi flags and anti-Moroccan slogans have been
painted on walls in several quarters.
24.01.06,
Agadir
Carrying SADR flags, Saharawi students from the science faculty 'Ibn
Zouhr' in Agadir expressed their support for the "pursuit of the
Intifada of Independence".
24-25.01.06,
Appeal trial
Trial in the court of second instance of Aminatou Haidar, Houcine
Lidri, Brahim Noumria, Larbi Messaoud, Mohamed El Moutaoikil, Hmad
Hammad, Ali Salem Tamek, Jenhaoui Lakhlifa, Mahjoub Chtioui, Mahmoud
Lahwidi, Mohamed Tahlil, Ouali Amydane, El Moussaoui Sidahmed,
Mohamed Balla. Two of the defendants see their sentences increased:
that of Amaydane Elwali goes from 6 to 12 months in prison, that of
Ali Salem Tamek from 8 to 10 months in prison. For the other
defendants the sentences imposed by the court of first instance are
confirmed. The trial lasts from 9am until 2am the next morning, in
the presence of international observers.
25.01.06,
Transfer
Transfer of a Saharawi political prisoner, Heddi Chreif, from the
local prison of Aït Melloul to the local prison of Tiznit,
without giving prior notice to the interested party.
[SPS]
26.01.06, El
Ayoun
Since the trial on 24 January, the streets of El Ayoun have been
witness to a large deployment from the different Moroccan security
bodies. Despite this, young Saharawis have hung up SADR flags on
several avenues. The Moroccan forces of repression have torn them
down and burnt them. Same scenario in Dakhla, but there the police
did not succeed in taking the flags away.
[SPS]
26.01.06 ,
The Saharawi workers from the company Phosboucraa went on strike for
three hours outside the company office to claim their
rights.
27.01.06,
Diplomatic Incident
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway summoned the Ambassador of
Morocco to Norway, Abdelhakim El Amrani, following a ban on entering
Western Sahara for a diplomatic mission from Nordic countries
comprising members of the embassies of Norway, Sweden and Finland in
Rabat. Visits to MINURSO and meetings with human rights NGOs were
planned. The government of Finland proceeded in the same manner and
Sweden will call in the Ambassador of Morocco next
week.[EFE]
[Nettavisen/
Norsk]
Last November, Morocco already refused access to Western Sahara for a
Norwegian diplomatic delegation and in July a group of members of
Norwegian NGOs was expelled by force from El Ayoun. [-->
see]
17.01.06, oil
exploration
Following discussions with international companies, and a successful
offshore licensing initiative, the Government of the Saharawi Arab
Democratic Republic (SADR), formally announces the commencement of an
onshore licensing initiative to enable international oil and gas
companies to participate in the exploration of its onshore sovereign
territory.[SPS] [Reuters,
22.01.06] [ OilOnline,
January 17, 2006]
18.01.06,
Security Council
The Security Council met in a special session devoted to the conflict
in Western Sahara. The special representative of the UN Secretary
General, Peter van Walsum, reported on the results of his initial
consultations. He declared after the meeting, which was held behind
closed doors, that a problem which has lasted for 30 years cannot be
resolved in one year. He was reported as adding that all the parties
should be invited to participate in negotiations, including Algeria.
The Dutch diplomat regretted not being able to say more about the
meeting, particularly because the Security Council did not have a
"firm position" on the question. [More
talks ahead in W. Sahara impasse - UN
envoy,
Irwin Arieff, Reuters, 18.01.06]
18.01.06,
Autonomy
Morocco announced to the Spanish news agency EFE, through its
representative at the United Nations, its intention to present a plan
for autonomy to the UN. This plan should be presented in April to the
special representative, P van Walsum and then to Kofi Annan. The
Polisario Front representative at the UN rejected any plan not
containing several options, he declared.
17.01.06
The AMDH, (The Moroccan Association for human rights) called for the
release of the 14 Saharawi activists still detained in El Ayoun and
showed its "anxiety" concerning the human rights situation in Western
Sahara. In a statement, AMDH asked for an end to judicial procedures
by Moroccan justice against all the Saharawi political prisoners.
[SPS]
18.01.06,
Corruption
The foreign minister of Sao Tome and Principe has resigned after
coming under widespread criticism for spending nearly US $500,000 of
aid from Morocco without reference to other members of the
government. Ovideo Pequeno, a close ally of President Fradique de
Menezes, announced his irreversible decision to resign on Monday.
[IRIN]
26.02.06 : Tifariti - International Conference of Solidarity wih the Saharawi People
27.02.06: Tifariti - 30th anniversary of the Saharawi Arabic Democratic Republic de la
27.02.06: Tifariti - 6th Sahara Marathon 2006
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