Socialist International: Polisario and Algerian Regime Suffer Humiliating Setback

The Congress of the Socialist International (SI) held last week in Madrid has ignored the Polisario and invited the Sahrawi Movement for Peace (MSP), which backs Moroccan Autonomy Plan, dealing a hard blow to the Algeria-backed separatist group.
The MSP is known for its pragmatic approach for the settlement of the Sahara regional conflict to end the sufferings of the Sahrawis living in the Tindouf camps in deplorable conditions for nearly fifty years.
Several pro-polisario parties and NGOs have tried in vain to book a seat for Brahim Ghali, chief of the Polisario armed militia. But President of the Socialist International and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stood firm rejecting his participation in the Congress.
The same stand was adopted by the Secretary General of SI and numerous socialist leaders from several countries. They affirmed that there is no place in this Congress or in the International Socialist Organization for repressive regimes which kidnap people, fuel tensions and divisions between countries.
Last month, Pedro Sanchez paid a working and friendship visit to Morocco. During this visit, he co-chaired with Moroccan peer Aziz Akhannouch the 12th high-level meeting between the two countries.
He was also received by King Mohammed VI at the Royal Palace in Rabat. At the end of this visit, the Spanish Prime minister reiterated his country’s position supporting the autonomy plan presented by Morocco in 2007 for the resolution of the Sahara issue.