Sahara tension mounts as Tifariti march postponed

13/03/2008

The Moroccan Sahara Association announced last week it would put off its planned march to Tifariti, originally scheduled for March 16th. Meanwhile, the Polisario reportedly held celebrations in the region it considers "freed", despite Moroccan claims that the anniversary commemoration was cancelled.

By Naoufel Cherkaoui for Magharebia in Rabat – 13/03/08

[Naoufel Cherkaoui] Tempers flared over Western Sahara following the death of Moroccan policeman Abdelaziz Meski. The officer was severely injured when masked demonstrators began throwing stones at security forces in Tan-Tan.

The Moroccan Sahara Association (ASM) announced last week that a march on the town of Tifariti planned for March 16th would be postponed, following their claim that the Polisario Front had cancelled celebrations originally scheduled for February 27th, on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the group's state declaration.

According to ASM President Mohamed Taoujni, external pressures by superpowers, the Moroccan government and civil society groups led to the Polisario's last-minute cancellation in what he called a victory for Morocco. He added that it is necessary for the area of Tifariti to become a demilitarised buffer zone again as it was in the past, and as stated under the ceasefire agreements.

A consultation between association members and authorities led to the decision to postpone the Tifariti march.

The Polisario Front's news agency, however, reported that celebrations were held in Tifariti on February 27th. Polisario leader Mohamed Abdelaziz reportedly delivered a speech at the closing of festivities, marking the establishment of a national council. He said Tifariti was chosen as a confirmation of the Front's exercise of its sovereignty over territories it deemed "freed and revived in embodiment of the decisions taken during the 12th conference."

Tempers flared recently, following the death of a Moroccan policeman injured during Sahrawi celebrations on February 26th in the southern Moroccan town of Tan-Tan. Officer Abdelaziz Meski was severely hurt when masked demonstrators began throwing stones at security forces. He died Monday in a Marrakesh hospital.

Following the violent demonstration, Moroccan police arrested six individuals suspected of involvement in the killing of the policeman, claiming two of the group are known for their loyalty to the Polisario Front.

Though the Polisario officially denied any involvement in the incident, experts fear the tension may threaten the cancellation of the fourth round of Western Sahara negotiations, scheduled for March 17th in New York.

Tifariti has also been the subject of a tense exchange between the two sides; Morocco recently rejected the Polisario Front's plans to reconstruct the Tifariti region. At the same time, the Front voiced its concern over what it described as "an increase in Morocco's armament tendency".

Despite his group's recent threats to return to violent action, Polisario leader Mohamed Abdelaziz said, "We don't want the war option to be imposed one more time on the Sahrawis."

The fourth round of the New York negotiations, if held on schedule, will begin without significant change in either side's stated position. Speaking in Mauritania last month, UN Special Envoy for the Western Sahara Peter van Walsum expressed his dissatisfaction with the progress of the talks.