Tindouf

In the night of last October 22sd, three volunteer workers -two Spaniards and one Italian- were abducted in Tindouf (Argelia) -the last three in Magreb- by what it seems to be a branch of Al-Qaeda. The Agency AFP has echoed the message recently received from Jamat Tawhid Wal Jihad Fi Barbi Afriqqiya, stating responsibility for the kidnappings. The lack of news about the three youngsters is absolute.

I am a supreme ignoramus, I've said that in more than one occasion. I am very gullible individual and for most part of my life I have been always thinking "well" of life and people; even though I tend not to do it lately, I am sure that, in scenarios like this real conflict in Western Sahara, reality will always be worse than expected; the connections and vested interested, more tupid than thought; the nihilism, more putrid, horrible and savage than imaginable.

The case of the kidnapping of these young fellows -they look great in photographs... Ainhoa is only 29, Rossella and Enric are probably as young as her- makes me sad from end to end. Is there any other mandatory proof to state clear and loud that security is not being guaranteed in the refugee camps of Tindouf, nor anywhere around the whole area, from South Morocco to Mauritania, from Tifariti to Bamaka? It does not matter whether you work for Mundu Bat, or the Sahrawi Friends Society of Extremadura or Saint Cugat, or the Italian Commission for Developement, or Doctors Without Borders or any other organization out of the dozens in the area, you are not safe. Ainhoa, Enric and Rossella were supposed to be in the most secure area of all, outside the camps, in Rabuni, the Administrative Center of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and the Polisary Front headquarters... And they were taken... Like that... And we know nothing about.

It is a moral predication for the organizations working in the area to describe and detail all possible dangers for tourists, volunteers or workers coming down, and it should be a moral predication for the organizations recruiting Europeans for "humanitarian" tasks to improve security and emergency procedures. Life belongs to each of us, but everyone should face reality. This course of action is called responsibility.

Unfortunately, in this last case of kidnappings, responsibility is missing. The Government of Spain or the executive officers of the SADR are being irresponsible. Why did the Government of Spain not consider urgent to call for or encourage temporary withdrawal from the area? Does it have to be with being wiped out power in a few weeks? What about the new party seizing power? It is a shame.

On another side, the Security Director of the SADR stated shortly after the abductions: "The Polisary Front has taken all necessary measurements for all foreign volunteers to feel calm"... What do you mean, Mr. Akeik? Shall we all remain calm after this? Is that all that matters? Or do you mean, Mr. Akeik, that the measurements had not been taken before?

Furthermore, a delegate of the Culture Ministery visiting Arnedo, La Rioja, Spain, for a film festival dedicated to the Sahrawi circumstance during the week of the kidnappings said, crystal and clear: "[We] say to all friends of the Sahrawi people that their security in the camps is guaranteed"... Fuck you!

The whole thing stinks to me. The simple fact that the refugee camps has been going on for 36 years -not 35- is not motive of pride, but a thick stench! Why 200,000 people has to be in a refugee camp? Would not be more normal to start a life in Algeria? It seems to me that some people do somewhere else but in a way not available to everybody or without resigning other privileges for himself or for others.

I don't trust the Polisary Front, do you? To begin with, I dislike profoundly the name: the word "front" does inspire a number of things, but not peace, not at all. It is a war term, isn't it. I feel all the words of Polisary Front and intentions are a mere decoy, a luring device to whatever aims. Why the camps seem to be a beehive of women and children? Where are all the men? Where are companies, small or familiar, thriving to survive and produce wealth, the way to freedom and independence? Every year, 20 millions of euros end up in hands of the Polisary Front from several Spanish administrations, according to Canarias7. Where does this money go to?

The existance of certain sites like this gives me the dead fright: slavery, repression and totalitarian techniques within the camps.

I suspect that the fact that on October 19th the Polisary Front celebrated its XI Congress has had some effect in the abductions... Its motto during the Congress: "Fight and cohesion to snatch independence and peace". Peace? As far as I know, the war with Morocco ended in 1991... "Fight", a very peaceful word, as well... .I don't trust it. In 36 years the only political organization for the Sahrawi People is the Polisary Front (which is not indeed a political organization). Mr. Mohamed Abdelaziz, the President of the SADR is, at the same time, the General Secretary of the Polisary Front. He has left the Congress re-assured with more than 90 % of the votes... . Can you remember any good coming out of an identification between Party and Government?

Disgraceful.

Lord, be prayed:
You are the only one who can restore Life.
You, the Just, the Loving.
To you our lives entitle.

(PLEASE, LEAVE YOUR COMMENT).