Autonomy plan gains support in Polisario-run Tindouf camps

An increasing number of former Polisario members are fleeing the camps where they are forced to stay in southern Algeria as they see a dead-end for a separatist scheme amid rising support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and its autonomy initiative for the region.

Moroccan media, Le360, talked to a new group of Polisario members who managed to flee to Spain, the former colonial power that expressed straightforward support last month for Morocco’s sovereignty and its autonomy plan.

“After the recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara by the US and the recent support to the autonomy plan by Germany and Spain, I think this initiative (autonomy) is the only solution that is able to resolve the conflict,” said Salkoun Ould Bakar.

Mahfoud Kadiri Ould Najm, another Polisario member, said conditions are worsening in the camps and the population held there is viewing autonomy as “the only way out for this conflict.”

For decades, Algeria has rejected all calls by Morocco and the UN refugee agency to register the population held in the camps.

Morocco has often called the international community to stop using the Sahraouis in the camps as political pawns and urged Algeria to ensure respect of human rights in the camps, where it has forsaken thousands to the mercy of the brutal militia.

Recent reports by international NGOs and the media pointed to violence endured by the camps dwellers who get fired at if they attempt to leave the camps without prior authorization from Algerian authorities.