Sergio Rodríguez Gelfenstein*, contributor to Prensa Latina
The Polisario Front, founded in 1973 by El Uali Mustafa Sayed along with other young Saharawis, continued the struggles waged since the 1960s by the Movement for the Liberation of the Sahara led by Mohamed Sidi Brahim Basir. Their goal from the first moment of their existence was to achieve the independence of Western Sahara. Their struggle, which lasted half a century, has made it possible to consolidate national unity and build Sahrawi identity. However, despite all the successes achieved, the Saharawi people have not managed to achieve complete and absolute independence.
The creation of the Polisario Front takes place within the framework of the struggle for the independence of the African peoples against colonialism and imperialism. Likewise, this event is not immune to the great social and political gains made through the struggle of workers, women and youth in different regions of the planet. Since then, their struggle has gone down in the history of anti-colonial struggles and pro-democracy struggles.
The embryo of the folk concert
In early 1973 there had been several meetings between pro-independence groups for Western Sahara. In the early months of the year, these associations sought agreements for a better understanding and coordination of anti-colonial measures. At the end of April, a conference was held intermittently and at various locations in the desert to misinform Spanish intelligence. In these sessions it was decided to create a politico-military organization to fight for independence. This is how the Polisario Front was born on May 10, 1973 in Zuerat (Mauritania).
Ten days later, the Polisario Front attacked the El Janga police post, beginning the anti-colonial liberation war that gradually expanded the scope and geographical area of its actions, causing increasing casualties for the Spanish army and damaging the Polisario Front’s reputation and its Liberation Army grew in tune with the mood and spirit of the Saharawi people, which also received international support, particularly from Algeria and Libya.
Maneuvers of the defeated colonial power
The strong armed blows suffered by the occupying Spanish army showed the fairness of the struggle waged. Under these conditions, the delusional Franco dictatorship began to seek an “honorable way out” of the situation that had arisen. In this respect, Spain – with the attitude typical of the colonial powers – took on the task of creating an “independent” autochthonous government that would function under the control of Madrid.
On August 20, 1974, the Spanish government sent a note to the UN Secretary-General announcing its intention to hold a self-determination referendum in Western Sahara in the first half of 1975. At the same time, she promoted the formation of a believing political party for the interests of Spain called the Saharawi National Union Party (PUNS).
In 1975, the Sahrawi Liberation Army was strengthened by the incorporation of several military units that increased their firepower and maneuverability to the point of proposing major operations such as controlling Spanish military posts while simultaneously attacking their troops and rear.
After two and a half years of war, the Polisario Front capped its politico-military efforts by holding the Convention of National Unity on October 12, 1975 in the town of Ain Ben Tili. But by then, Spain had already struck a secret deal with Morocco to hand over Sahrawi territory in what is considered one of the greatest treason in colonial history.
New impetus for the liberation struggle
Faced with this situation, the Polisario Front convened a broad assembly attended by personalities of all political forces promoting independence: representatives of various sectors and members of the Djema’a, which represents the main body of a tribe and is composed of elders and elected leaders. Within this framework, and led by El Uali Mustafa Sayed, they proclaimed the unification of the people around the program and structures of the Polisario Front with the aim of achieving independence and defending the territorial integrity of Western Sahara.
The long resistance struggle of the Polisario Front against the Moroccan occupation has made it possible to lay the foundations for building a society and a state that projects to the future, based on ideas that reflect the best of human nature and fundamental principles of living together in the world. During these years, the Polisario Front succeeded in building a united and inclusive Sahrawi society. To this end, it brings together all sectors and progressive figures of Saharawi society, wherever they are: in exile, in the liberated regions or in those under Moroccan occupation.
50 years after its creation, the Polisario Front has renewed its commitment to those who fell in the decades-long struggle against colonialism and Moroccan expansionism. In addition to the proposal to achieve independence, his goals have always been to build a modern state in the context of the regional integration of North Africa. At the international level, the Polisario Front defends the creation of a Palestinian state, the unity of the Arab world and the elimination of all forms of colonialism in Africa.
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*Degree in International Studies, Masters in International and Global Relations. Doctor of Political Science.
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