AND NOW BACK TO THE STRUGGLE NO ONE SEEMS TO TALK ABOUT

The ongoing struggle of the Sahrawi people for an independent homeland continues and continues.  


Few are those who take note.


Last week, however, the European Social Forum (ESF), held in Istanbul, Turkey, actually went to the trouble to issue a statement of solidarity."We participants in the 2010 European Social Forum held in Istanbul coming from all parts of Europe wish to express our solidarity with the People of Western Sahara in its quest for self-determination ", the participant said in this appeal. 

As reported by the Sahara Press Service, "They called on the United Nations to implement without delay the resolutions regarding the organizing of a referendum so the Saharawi people can freely determine their destiny."

They also called on the Kingdom of Morocco to free all the Saharawi political prisoners."

Finally, they called on the European Union and all its members to stop the plundering of the Saharawi natural resources and especially to annul the illegal fishery agreement with Morocco that includes the Saharawi waters which is a violation of international law."

And then, as if by magic, the Nigeria Labor Congress via the Chair of its Women Commitssion, Ladi Illiya, declared at the weekend in Abuja while receiving the President of the Saharawi Women Union, Fatima Mehdi, that "Just like what we witnessed in the struggle for South Africa independence, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) mobilised resources to fund activities aimed at getting the independence of South Africa and we are prepared to do the same again to force Morocco to set machinery in motion for the independence of Western Sahara."

The following is from Sahara Press Service.

Launch of week of brotherhood and solidarity with Saharawi people

Algiers, July 5, 2010 (SPS) - The start of the Algerian-Sahrawi week of brotherhood and solidarity was given Sunday in the presence of several Algerian, Saharawi and international delegations.

This event which will run until July 11, constitutes according to organizers an opportunity to publicize the struggle of the Sahrawi people against the Moroccan occupation and its commitment to its right to self-determination, through various cultural, artistic, political and sports events.

Besides Sahrawi delegations from the liberated and occupied territories, delegation of the Latin American Association of Solidarity with the Saharawi people and Youth of Mali have come to renew their unwavering support to the struggle of the Saharawi people.

On the agenda of this demonstration, exhibitions of Sahrawi crafts and photos about the repression undergone by the Sahrawis in the occupied territories as well as Sahrawi poetic and musical evenings.

The kickoff of the event was marked by a march from Ouagnouni stadium (center of Algiers) to the Big Post Office with the participation of several groups representing different national folks of the wilayas to express their solidarity with the Saharawi people.

The President of the Algerian National Committee of Solidarity with the Saharawi people (CNASPS), Mr. Mahrez Lamari, said in a statement that the Week of Solidarity "is an opportunity to raise awareness of the need to consolidate solidarity and cooperation among peoples of Africa and Latin America and renew the appeal to the United Nations to accelerate the implementation of Security Council resolutions in favor of the Saharawi people and their right to self-determination ".

He also stressed the "popular dimension" of this event which asserts the "unconditional" solidarity of the Algerian people with the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination and its commitment to international legality. 

From his part, Rabah Balahouane, responsible of the center of Algiers municipality indicated that the event which is a part of the twinning between the center of Algiers municipalities and El Aaiun will be "an opportunity to launch a strong message to address the United Nations and the international community on behalf of Africa for the completion of the decolonization process in the continent. 

The Governor of the Wilaya of El Aaiun (Saharawi refugee camps), Mohamed Lamine Dadi underlined from his part that these events allow the Saharawi people to publicize its cause at the regional and global levels. They reiterate, he said, solidarity with the Saharawi people and support its legitimate struggle for freedom and independence.

He added that the meeting reflects the common will of the Algerian-Sahrawi to strengthen relations rooted since decades and enable the Algerian civil society to express its solidarity with the Saharawi counterpart to follow the example of the support of the Algerian leadership with the Saharawi people, suffering under the Moroccan repression and which needs support and assistance of all peace-loving countries. (SPS)