Saharawis at unease over Algeria, Morocco unrest

Saharawi protesters © UPES/afrol News

Saharawis in Algerian refugee camps and in Morocco-occupied Western Sahara are watching the revolution wave in North Africa with jubilation and unease. Should they lend a helping hand, or better not?

The wave of revolt is getting closer for the Saharawis. For this weekend, the start of mass protests in Algeria has been announced - Algeria being the main ally of Saharawis fighting for their independence and the host for around 150,000 Saharawi refugees. For next weekend, marches are announced in Morocco - their occupying power.



"The Saharawis in both sides of the wall [in the occupied territory and the refugee camps] are able to follow the news of the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt thanks to satellite TV channels, especially 'Al Jazeera', which is now the most watched TV in the Arab and Muslim world," Saharawi journalist Lakhal Malainin tells afrol News. Mr Malainin is based in the Algerian refugee camps, which are governed by the exiled Saharawi government.



But also in the mostly state-conform Saharawi national medias, "there have been a very good follow up of the events to give the Saharawis an opportunity to understand and follow what is happening there; in Tunisia and Egypt," Mr Malainin adds.



As in most Arab locations, Saharawis in the Algerian refugee camps therefore also celebrated the Egyptian people's victory over Dictator Hosni Mubarak. Also in Saharawi media, especially in blogs like 'UPES', which is edited by Mr Malainin, there have been a lot of reactions, articles and opinions praising the Tunisian people and their revolution, and other criticising Mr Mubarak's intransigence and expressing support to the demonstrators in both countries.



"Saharawis hope for change, we believe in a Maghreb Union for the peoples, we believe in a unified democratic Africa, we hope that what happened in Tunisia and Egypt is a prelude to a renaissance in the Arab world, which is governed by dictatorships and corrupted regimes," Mr Malainin emphasises.



Asked about to which degree the unfolding protests in their host country Algeria are known to the Saharawi refugees, Mr Malainin says that households there are very well informed. "Even the poorest ones make sure to buy satellite TV to follow the developments," he says.



Indeed, Saharawis for weeks have expressed concern about the possibility of a popular revolution in Algeria. "What do we do if the Algerian regime changes?" asks "Mohamadan" in a blog of the opposition web-media 'Futuro Saharaui'. He sees great similarities between Mr Mubarak's Egypt and the regime of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria: "Its days are counted."



"Nobody can deny that Algeria is the most faithful ally of the Saharawi population," the blogger establishes, asking what to do if a

Saharawi journalist and 'UPES' editor Lakhal Malainin © Private/afrol News

In Octover 2010, over 10,000 Saharawis in the occupied territory erected a protest camp, later attacked by Moroccan police © UPES/afrol News

By Rainer Chr. Hennig

© afrol News

On the Afrol News front page now

Rwanda succeeds including citizens in formal financial sector



afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda. Read more - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.

Famine warning: "South Sudan is imploding"



afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries. Read more - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.

Panic in West Africa after Ebola outbreak in Guinea



afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease. Read more - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.

Ethiopia tightens its already strict anti-gay laws



afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared. Read more - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.