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The Occupation We Choose to Ignore’

Do you know who I am? I am a Sahrawi. The land to which I refer is what is known today as the non-self-governing territory ofWestern Sahara. My country was colonized by the Spanish and the French between 1884 and 1975, divided in two and occupied by Moroccan and Mauritanian forces thereafter, and has been ruled exclusively by the Kingdom of Morocco from 1979 until the present.

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this is one part of the Arab Spring that western governments don't want to talk about. And their silence, and the UN's complicity in it, is why that repression continues, and a terrible injustice is perpetuated.

ISS - News - The Western Sahara and North African People’s Power

Respect the right of individuals to peacefully express their opinions regarding the status and future of the Western Sahara and to document violations of human rights

King of Morocco to be biggest benefactor of EU trade agreement - Telegraph

it has emerged that the single biggest beneficiary of the deal will be the King of Morocco, who is head of one of the three largest agricultural producers in the north African country and lays claim to 12,000 hectares of the nation's most fertile farmland.

North African Dispatches Africa’s Forgotten Colony

Oblivion it seems is the current reality for the arid North African territory of Western Sahara; often referred to as Africa’s ‘Last Colony’. In my opinion, it would be more accurate to describe it as ‘Africa’s Forgotten Colony’.

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Jan 31, 2012

Congress of U.S. Decision Concerning Western Sahara | Not Forgotten International

by Janet Lenz • January 26, 2012 • Advocacy, Sahara Desert, Uncategorized • 0 Comments

CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES

Title I

DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND RELATED AGENCY DEPARTMENT OF STATE

MOROCCO. - Prior to the obligation of funds appropriated by this Act under the heading: “Foreign Military Financing Program” for assistance to Morocco, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations on steps being taken by the Government of Morocco to:

(1) Respect the right of individuals to peacefully express their opinions regarding the status and future of the Western Sahara and to document violations of human rights; and

(2) Provide unimpeded access to human rights organizations, journalists and representatives of foreign governments to the Western Sahara.

(The full text of this bill is available at opencongress.org.)

Layman’s explanation:

The US has granted funds for many years to Morocco to support their military, as Morocco is a long-time friend of the US. Before future funds can be given to Morocco’s military by the US government, the Secretary of State will have to give our government a report about how Morocco is doing 2 important things:

(1) The people of Western Sahara must be able to freely express their opinions in a peaceful manner about their destiny as well as how they are treated by Morocco. If you recall, there have been many Saharawi imprisoned, tortured, and killed for speaking out against Morocco’s occupation of their homeland of Western Sahara. This peaked in November, 2010, when a “tent city” demonstration of thousands of Saharawi was violently destroyed by Moroccan troops. These actions will now affect Morocco’s access to funding from the US.

(2) For decades, since Morocco took occupation of Western Sahara, “objective eyes” have been kept out of the Saharawi’s homeland…..organizations like human rights watchers, foreign government representatives, and journalists. This has kept the truth of what has been done to the Saharawi away from the world’s awareness.

We are very happy to see that the US is taking this stand. The Saharawi are thrilled. They have longed for America to use its influence to help end the decades-long oppression of those living in the Homeland. They have longed to be able to have a voice as to the future of their homeland….whether to be an independent nation or to become part of Morocco. This ruling by the US Congress is a wonderful start in changing the stalemate that the Saharawi have been caught in for 37 years.

Thank you to all who have used your voices to speak to our government, and for using your voices to speak to God on the behalf of the Saharawi.

Africa's last colony -Western Sahara

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