Unprecedented Participation of “Saharawis for Peace” at an International Conference Disrupts Polisario’s Narrative
Oussar Ahmed — The “Saharawis for Peace” movement participated for the first time in the International Socialist Women’s Congress, held on May 21 and 22 in Istanbul, Turkey. This step aligns with the movement’s efforts to expand its political and diplomatic presence and engage with international actors in women’s, peace, and development issues.
The female delegation consisted of activists from the cities of Laayoune and Dakhla, who officially participated in the international conference alongside delegations representing dozens of countries. During the sessions, they raised a banner in the name of the movement, symbolically indicating the increasing international recognition of it as a peaceful political alternative that calls for dialogue while rejecting separatism and violence.
Founded in 2020, the “Saharawis for Peace” movement includes activists from diverse backgrounds, including defectors from the Polisario Front. It aims to establish a new political pathway based on plurality and consensus, with active involvement from women and youth in shaping the future of Moroccan Sahara.
Sidi Al-Sebai, President of the Youth Union of the movement, confirmed that this participation follows the movement’s accession to the Socialist International Council. He asserted that its presence in this international forum refutes the Polisario’s claims about representing Saharans. He considered that the Moroccan autonomy proposal serves as a realistic foundation for a final solution that preserves the dignity of the population and opens a path for stability and development.
