The Collapse of Tindouf Illusions: “Osaku” Vindicates Morocco and Exposes Algeria and Polisario’s Narrative
The coalition for autonomy in the Sahara, “Osaku,” has asserted that one of the central pillars of the thesis promoted by the Polisario Front and Algeria has completely collapsed. This refers to the population census conducted by the Spanish colonial authorities in 1974, which is now deemed obsolete and illegitimate, failing to reflect the current demographic reality in the region.
The coalition pointed out that this census was carried out in an unfair colonial context, as Franco’s authorities marginalized pro-Morocco unity tribes and excluded historically significant desert areas, while supporting figures loyal to Spanish colonialism. It emphasized that the census was used as a directed political tool, aiming not for a free referendum but to pave the way for the establishment of an artificial entity serving Madrid’s interests near the Canary Islands, in collusion with certain regional actors.
According to “Osaku,” of the more than 73,000 individuals included in the Spanish census, less than half remain alive in 2025, while their descendants have either left the region for abroad or have no substantial ties to the Sahara, making any reliance on them for a self-determination process outdated and unrealistic.
The statement also warned that the Tindouf camps, presented as a refuge for Sahrawi refugees, have never undergone a neutral census by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees due to Algeria’s ongoing refusal. “Osaku” claims that this conceals systematic identity fraud, as individuals of other nationalities have been integrated into this population.
In an unprecedented move, the coalition called for a review of the “amnesty and return” policy initiated by the late King Hassan II, arguing that this noble approach is now exploited by Morocco’s adversaries to inflate a false representation. It stressed that true Sahrawis are those living in the southern provinces, participating in national life, and holding Moroccan documents.
Furthermore, the statement noted a noticeable shift in the international community’s stance, as the option of a referendum no longer holds the previous weight, with increasing support for the Moroccan proposal for autonomy as a practical and realistic solution that ensures regional stability, backed by influential countries such as the United States, Germany, Spain, and the UAE.
“Osaku” concluded its statement by affirming that the Sahara dispute is based on outdated premises and external agendas, contending that the only fair solution is to recognize the existing reality characterized by autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, closing the chapter on the ideological disputes that have hindered the region’s development for decades.
