Cynthia Thanda

The dusty wind that sweeps across the refugee camps of the Sahrawi people near Tindoulf screams louder, carrying the weight of a nation still fighting to breath freely. When International communities are summoned for a meaningful dialogue on peace and the right to self-determination, many people sparkle with the hope that it will breed better results. However, voices rise, some listen, some ignore, others dismiss it, but youth activists always stand tall and firm, demanding transparency and a path to a true sovereignty. To a number of people, colonization is a chapter in a history book, only to be learned during a history class and after graduation, it lays on a bookshelf for years collecting more dust, waiting for another learner to re-open it in a class and the cycle repeats, but for the Sahrawi people, it is a thread that still chains their everyday life, restricting their right to exist.

When speaking to Dr. Mahmound Al-Saleh, Chairperson of the Arab Committee for Solidarity with the Sahrawi People, he reminded us that the Sahrawi people’s cause is not a new issue in the record of global struggles. This cause has lasted for more than half a century, and that this great people continue to offer remarkable examples of resistance and sacrifice to regain their land and dignity.

“We believe that the Arab Sahrawi people are a steadfast and independent people, deserving of the right to self-determination in accordance with international charters and laws endorsed by the United Nations, and enjoyed by all peoples who were once under occupation. If we look back a hundred years, we would find that more than half of the world was occupied by a very small group of colonial powers—three or four states that controlled most of the globe. Yet these peoples struggled, gained their freedom, and achieved independence. This should also be the case for the Sahrawi people in Western Sahara,” he said.

Dr. Mahmound Al-Saleh who has visited the camps many times and lived among this great people, learning about their history, customs, and traditions, and most importantly, witnessing the determination and conviction among their children, youth, women, and men regarding their right to self-determination and independence, smiled with pride as he recollected their resilience and love for their land.

“My connection to this cause grew stronger from my very first visit to the camps — the camps of dignity — where I met thinkers, activists, intellectuals, and people who had the ability to live in any country in the world, yet chose to remain in this desert, in these camps, enduring extremely difficult conditions rather than abandoning their cause. This strengthened my interest in them, my respect for them, and my solidarity with them. And this is what led us to form the Arab Committee for Solidarity with the Sahrawi People.”

“The truth is that my first visit to the camps of pride and dignity of the Sahrawi people strengthened our connection to this cause and contributed to forming a completely different perspective towards it. Although the Sahrawi cause was not new to us — we had studied a great deal of information about Saguia El Hamra and Oued Eddahab, as well as the Polisario Front. We already had knowledge about this people’s genuine aspiration for freedom, independence, and self-determination,” he alluded.

As the Youth Union of Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro (UJSARIO), in collaboration with the Algerian Youth Council held the 10^th Congress of the UJSARIO on 25-27 November 2025, followed by the 4^th International Youth Forum in Solidarity with Western Sahara, Dr. Mahmound Al-Saleh shared that the message they wanted to convey to the world through this participation is that this people and the Sahrawi cause have not received any global attention for half a century. It is the last decolonization issue in the world and the world must pay attention to the Sahrawi people’s issue because it is a humanitarian issue, a human rights and legal issue first and foremost, and their situation is like that of any other people. The world leaders must implement international laws and compel the Moroccan occupier to end the occupation and grant the Sahrawi people their independence and declare their land a sovereignty.

“I believe that the message we must convey through the Arab Committee for Solidarity with the Sahrawi People, and through all the free people of the world, through all those in solidarity wherever they may be – young people, women, children, and every free person in this world – to the world leaders is that it is time to do justice to this oppressed people in Western Sahara. You must visit the camps of dignity and pride. The American President, the French President, the British Prime Minister, the Russian President, all the world leaders must stand with their conscience and take a free stand to do justice to this oppressed people. Three generations have passed and the Western Sahara is occupied. The world must implement the decisions of the international community, the United Nations, and the decisions of the International Court of Justice regarding the Sahrawi issue.”

“Also, they should compel the Moroccan occupier to abide by the pledges made by King Hassan II and the Moroccan Prime Minister in 1985 before the United Nations. This is documented in the United Nations archives, where he delivered a speech acknowledging that the Moroccan regime was ready to begin the referendum process and grant the Sahrawi people their right to self-determination. We want the world to translate all these facts into reality on the ground and to immediately begin, through the UN committee concerned with conducting the referendum process in Western Sahara to grant this right.”

He concluded by highlighting that the Arab Committee is a team of all Arab countries: it includes an elite group of Arab thinkers, writers, human rights activists, lawyers, media figures, members of political parties, university presidents, directors of political studies and research centers in the Arab world, former ministers, and former ambassadors in various Arab countries. The group does not belong to any country and does not receive any material or moral support from any Arab or non-Arab country. It is a completely independent group that calls, works and advocates for the Sahrawi people to achieve their right to self-determination. 

As the sun settles behind the horizon, the night slowly creeps in, whispering a calm lullaby to remind the Sahrawi that hope is not lost and tomorrow is another day. Mr. Sidi Mohamed Adda, a young Sahrawi who is engaged in community work and youth empowerment initiatives exudes a confidence of only a man who knows his identity and fights to keep it alive, abit of a rarity in a world where identities are being lost, erased and replaced.

Growing up in the refugee camps has taught him resilience, community values, and the meaning of hope under hardship. He spoke about how  life in the camps is challenging; limited resources, harsh climate, and decades of displacement. Yet, despite all of that, the spirit of the Sahrawi people remains strong, and they continue to invest in education, culture, and collective support.

“I focus on supporting local development projects and raising awareness about the situation of Sahrawi refugees and their aspirations for freedom and dignity. I look forward to seeing youth voices genuinely included in decision-making, strengthening international solidarity, and creating practical strategies that support Sahrawi youth in education, advocacy, and economic empowerment. I hope this forum becomes a space where our challenges are heard and transformed into concrete action,” said Mr. Adda.

He further explained how the Sahrawi issue is often overlooked due to shifting global priorities and geopolitical interests. While they receive solidarity from civil society and some governments, the conflict is not receiving the consistent international attention it deserves. Even though, there has been abit of progress, it is slow and fragile. On the ground, youth are becoming more active and better educated. International awareness is growing, but the political process remains stagnant. Their community keeps pushing forward despite every challenge.

“Sadly, the world tends to respond only when there is a humanitarian disaster or large-scale violence. Peaceful appeals, legal arguments, and decades of patience do not always attract the same attention. This is why many long-standing struggles like ours remain invisible unless crises erupt.”

“As the youth, we use every tool available: social media advocacy, cultural exchange programs, participation in international youth conferences, and storytelling. As Sahrawi youth, we speak up, share our lived reality, and connect with global movements that stand for justice and self-determination,” mentioned Mr. Adda.

He concluded by urging world leaders to not overlook the Sahrawi people. They should respect their commitments to international law and human rights. Support a peaceful, fair solution that ensures the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination. Refugee camps are not meant to last half a century, it’s time for decisive action, not silence.

Just like many colonized African nations, the land of Sahrawi remains a hopeful future to the next generation, a story that reminds us as Africans where we come from and why we need to stand together to free ourselves from the clutches of the colonial master. As Sahrawis call upon us to help them in their time of need, let us hold hands in the spirit of Pan-Africanism and liberation of our people.