Tens of thousands of Moroccans have joined a demonstration in the capital, Rabat, calling for the release of prisoners of war held in Algeria. "Shout my brother, shout," chanted the demonstrators, "for this injustice will not be tolerated."
Some walked holding up black and white photos of their husbands or fathers.
They are among more than 400 Moroccan soldiers being held by the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria.
They were captured during the war for control of Western Sahara after Spain pulled out of the desert territory in 1975.
Disputed territory
They are the longest serving prisoners of war in the world.
But Hassan Anrani, who was released by the Polisario after 24 years, says the demonstration is not just about the prisoners.
"This demonstration has double objectives," he said.
"First, to press international opinions to make an impression on the Polisario and Algeria to liberate all the others," he added.
"The second objective is to make it international opinion that the Sahara was Moroccan and is still Moroccan and remains Moroccan."
But after 30 years of Moroccan control, international opinion is still divided. The United Nations views Western Sahara as a disputed territory.
Several members of the African Union recognise its independence.
And after almost three decades of wrangling between Morocco and Algeria over the issue, Western Sahara remains the single biggest obstacle to North African co-operation.
Modifié 1 fois. Dernière modification le 07/03/05 10:46 par almotanabi.
cette info fait un peu le tour. ici sur eljazeera par exemple: [www.aljazeera.net]
apres la marche verte la ste civile fut ecartee du dossier du sahara. cette politique, instauree par hassan 2 et amplement poursuivie par le securitaire driss basri a prive le dossier d'une force enorme. pendant des decennies de tels messages aurait pu defiler chez les agences de presse du monde entier et on aurait pu faire bloque contre la propagande algero-polsarienne.
c'est ce que je lis entre autre dans cet evenement. ca montre un peu la dimension du vacuum fait par l'abscence du peuple dans toute cette question.
Modifié 1 fois. Dernière modification le 07/03/05 16:10 par bikhir.
chargement...
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