OULD ERRACHID AND WESTERN SAHARA

Interview of CORCAS chairman to « Jeune Afrique International » weekly


Which autonomy? And with whom? Chairman of the Royal Advisory Council
for Saharan Affairs answers Jeune Afrique.



JEUNE AFRIQUE: why are you against a self-determination referendum in western Sahara?

KHALIHENNA OULD ERRACHID: because it would be necessary to organize one not only in Moroccan Sahara but also in Algeria, Mauritania and Mali, wherever Sahrawi tribes live. We are a bit like the Kurdish people. We live at the crossroads of four countries. Otherwise, the region’s frontiers would change to set up a Sahrawi land from Tan-Tan to Tindouf and from Zouérate to Taoudenni.

How do you consider Polisario Front activists?

Like brothers and cousins. They are people whom I respect. They are authentic Sahrawis. The reasons why Polisario was founded are mainly based upon the behaviour of the Moroccan administration then. Therefore, they were understandable and sincere. Nowadays, Polisario should make a historic choice: whether to come back to the country within the framework of a genuine autonomy or to stay in Tindouf camps forever.

Would you accept to govern with Abdelaziz, SADR chairman?

Absolutely, Abdelaziz is welcome here. His father is a member of CORCAS and his brothers live in Laayoune. He himself was born in Marrakesh. Let him preside autonomy, why not? He should know that this project is the maximum that Sahrawis can get.

Which autonomy?

We are working on it, but I can tell you that it will be specific to Sahara, i.e. not applicable to the rest of Morocco. Sahrawis themselves will deal with political, economic, social and cultural affairs without breaking the link, the umbilical cord which has always linked us to the throne.

Do not forget that, for Sahrawis, the attachment to the king has always transcended and, in reality, surpassed the law, i.e. the administration.

Is Algeria an obstacle?

Some people approve it, but I cannot permit myself to believe it. I believe Algeria when it says that it doest not interfere in the conflict. When it says that has nothing to claim and nothing to give, I accept it. I thank it for having taken care of our camps brothers for all these years. It is up to us today to help our great neighbour resolve the problem, with required dignity.

In other words?

Sahrawis living in refugee camps should come back after being convinced that all their legitimate claims are satisfied. All, except one: independence. Neither independence under foreign trusteeship nor simple and mere integration with Morocco, but an enlarged autonomy within the framework of a modern democratic project. There is no other solution.