Morocco can never take away our spirit of struggle
• Malainine Etkana, ambassador of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, talks to Granma about the situation of the people in the last African colony

Claudia Fonseca Sosa

A total of 38 years have gone by since Morocco occupied Western Sahara, depriving the Sahrawi people of their right to self-determination and independence.

After decades of armed confrontation against the invading forces, the Polisario Front declared a ceasefire in 1991, on the understanding that a UN-supervised referendum would take place. However, this desired referendum is still being delayed, in virtue of the interests of the Moroccan monarchy.

Granma discussed this issue with Malainine Etkana, ambassador of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in Cuba

"After the plan was signed the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), but regrettably, despite many rounds of negotiations, we are still waiting for the referendum, given that Morocco keeps placing obstacles in the way and failing to meet its international commitments.

"The referendum proposes the option of becoming part of Morocco or attaining total independence, and we are sure that the majority of Sahrawi people are going to vote for the latter."

Etkana noted that, meanwhile, "Morocco continues taking advantage of our natural resources. The Sahara has one of the largest reserves of phosphate in the world and is a highly favored fishing area."

"The Polisario Front has returned Moroccans taken prisoner during the years of the armed struggle, but Morocco has not liberated any of our combatants.

"Since 2005, when our population in the occupied territories began to demonstrate through what we call the Intifada (peaceful protest), there has been much repression on the part of Moroccan authorities. The human rights of Sahrawi civilians are being violated, to the point of subjecting them to military trials, and MINUSO cannot do anything about this because Morocco will not allow it."

"Is that the reason why there has been talk of returning to the armed struggle?"

"While we are prepared to continue negotiating with UN mediation, Sahrawans do not discount the possibility of returning to arms so that the Sahara is liberated for once and for all. We cannot endure the intransigence of Morocco and the country’s rejection of international law for ever."

This 2013 sees the 40the anniversary of the Polisario Front (an acronym for the Frente Popular de Liberación de Saguía el Hamra y Río de Oro), the only legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people.

"The Polisario Front was founded on May 10, 1973, to fight against Spanish colonialism. In 1975, Spain withdrew from Sahrawi territory in a shameful way, by signing a tripartite agreement with Morocco and Mauritania (which latter withdrew in 1979), and since then, our people have faced torture, displacement, arbitrary imprisonment and other forms of repression.

"However, we are proud of these 40 years of struggle and resistance. Morocco invaded the Sahara with the spirit of eliminating the Sahrawans, but they have been unable to do so. Our people are now more united than ever. In 1976, the Polisario Front founded the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, currently recognized by more than 80 nations in the world.

"The most significant diplomatic successes of our people have been the entry of SADR into the Organization of African Unity in 1984 and its participation in founding the African Union in 2002."

"How does the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic define itself?"

"We are a national liberation front, with a revolutionary ideology which guarantees the civil rights, freedom and dignity of our people. We have learnt a lot from pro-independence revolutions in world; for example, those of Cuba, Algeria and many countries in Southern Africa. We want a Sahara free of Moroccan oppression.

"A large part of our population is living in refugee camps in Algeria where, despite the vicissitudes, we have harvested some achievements in the areas of education and health."

"How have relations with Cuba developed?"

"Cuba has always accompanied the Sahrawi cause and has extended the hand of friendship. Many of our professionals have graduated from universities here, and a Cuban medical brigade is working in the refugee camps in Tinduf.

"I will paraphrase the words of Mohammed Abdelaziz, general secretary of the Polisario Front and President of the SADR, during celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the OAU, when he said that Cuba has done a lot for Africa and for that reason we have to support her in the struggle against the U.S. blockade. We also congratulate René González on his return to the homeland and hope that his four anti-terrorist brothers will soon join him.