Massive March in Madrid Backs Sahrawi People’s Right to Self-Determination
Members of the Sahrawi diaspora took to the streets on Saturday, in a massive march in the Spanish capital, in support of the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination and independence, and in condemnation of the infamous Madrid Agreements that were signed 50 years ago.
Through its special correspondent in Madrid, AL24 News reported on the demands of the Sahrawi protesters for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination and an end to the Moroccan occupation of their land.
The march saw participation from different age groups, alongside Spanish activists, with participants emphasizing the importance of supporting the Sahrawi people until they obtain their inalienable right to self-determination.
The representative of the Polisario Front in Spain, Abdullah Al-Arabi, told AL24 News that today’s demonstrations were held to denounce the Madrid Agreements and to demand that the Spanish government take responsibility toward the Sahrawi people. He noted that while the protest is an annual event, this year it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the “ill-fated” Madrid Agreement.
Al-Arabi added that the Spanish state has shirked its responsibility toward Western Sahara, saying: “The demonstration is to condemn the Madrid Agreement, and we call on the Spanish government to assume its responsibility.” He emphasized that the occupation, human rights violations, and failure to implement international law in Western Sahara are consequences of this agreement.
It is noteworthy that the Madrid Agreements made Western Sahara a victim of division and occupation by Morocco, resulting in the ongoing suffering of the Sahrawi people due to the Moroccan invasion, which committed crimes against humanity, while continuing to plunder the wealth and resources of the Sahrawis in the occupied territories.
