While the current refugee crisis across Europe makes headlines,the people of Western Sahara maintain been experiencing a refugee crisis for 40 years. This week marks the 40th anniversary of Morocco’s invasion of Western Sahara, which forced thousands of refugees into the Algerian desert. They are still there nowadays, or living in refugee camps,dependent on international aid. Last month these camps were devastated by severe flooding which has destroyed food and shelters, displacing 25000 people.
Those who remained behind during the invasion now live under Moroccan occupation. Despite the promise of a referendum in 1991 in which the people of Western Sahara would decide their future, and the UN has failed to deliver. It has also failed to protect the people of Western Sahara from the torture,untrue imprisonment and sexual violence inflicted by the Moroccan state. Meanwhile governments of the UK, EU and others collude in the exploitation of the Sahrawis’ rich resources.
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Source: theguardian.com