25 juin 2010
The Tindouf Refugee camps
After the Berlin Conference (1884 – 1885), the Spanish established themselves on the coast of Western Sahara by establishing a protectorate in 1884. In 1956, Morocco claimed sovereignty over this territory based on historical rights. Dismembered by colonization, Morocco wanted to rebuild a national entity under the « Greater Morocco » gathering all the lands formerly under Moroccan rule. Then in 1963, the Spanish Sahara was included on the list of territories under Chapter XI of the UN Charter.
In 1976, shortly after Spain withdrew from Western Sahara and the beginning of clashes related to its control, the Saharawi refugees began arriving in Algeria. Most of them live in camps in Tindouf, south-west Algeria for over 30 years.
In May 2010, several people escape from the Tindouf refugee camps to go to Morocco. According to a Human Rights Watch’s report (Human Rights in Western Sahara and the Refugee Camps in Tindouf), most people still live in tents or in huts without running water and remain heavily dependent on international humanitarian assistance. The isolation and lack of regular monitoring are the main concerns. In addition the report notes that despite the easing of repression and the presence of humanitarian organizations, the rights of refugees remain vulnerable for two reasons: the isolation of the camps and legal limbo in which they exist.
The UN Security Council insists that Algeria and the Polisario allow a census of the refugee population in Tindouf by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). However, the Polisario Front, pro-independence movement created in 1973, and Algeria refused UNHCR requests Uto conduct census in the camps, where the UN is very concerned about the humanitarian situation. In May 2010, resolution 1920 of the Security Council extending by one year the mandate ofMINURSO (United Nations Mission for a referendum in Western Sahara), and demand to new parties to continue negotiations under the auspices of the UN, taking into account the efforts made since 2006.
The situation is full of political tension but is also humanly unsustainable. Besides, it has negative effects on bilateral relations between Morocco and Algeria but also on the regional integration of the Maghreb, because it impedes Arab Maghreb Union’s efforts. The United Nations explicitly call for more political will from all parties concerned by this situation.
At the Euro-Mediterranean scale, the resolution of the Western Sahara conflict is essential for the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) proper functioning. However, the UfM has no firm position. Yet again, the UfM could support the UN and take part in resolving this conflict. It often boils down to the conclusion that even if the UfM is not politic but a holder of concrete projects, however, it must deal with political situations that block its operations. It is again time for the UfM 43 member countries to get involved in solving conflicts that marked its geographical area.
S.Vignard