As part of the International Campaign against the Wall of the Moroccan Occupation in Western Sahara, the Coordination of Spanish Associations of Solidarity with Western Sahara (CEAS-Sahara) organised a trip to the Moroccan wall in Western Sahara from 10 to 14 October 2014, under the theme: “DOWN WITH THE WALL OF SHAME!

During the trip, the participants held a series of meetings with local organisations working in the field of mine action in the Sahrawi refugee camps and the liberated territories, such Sahrawi Mine Action Coordination Office (SMACO), Sahrawi Association of Mine Victims (ASAVIM), Saharawi Campaign to Ban Mines (SCABAM), Association of Families of Sahrawi Prisoners and Disappeared (AFAPREDESA), and the Platform “Cries against the Moroccan Wall”.

The meetings allowed the participants to have a full picture about the great work done by these organisations in their respective fields of action, despite the hardships of exile and scarcity of resources. The participants also visited some facilities in the camps and had chance to exchange views with the camp residents regarding their situation and the challenges that they face in the areas of food, health, education and so on.

On 12 October, which coincided with the marking of the 39th anniversary of Sahrawi National Unity, the participants staged a demonstration in front of the Moroccan wall of occupation in Western Sahara. Sahrawi mine victims and NGOs working in the field of mine action took part in the demonstration. By protesting in front of the Moroccan wall of shame, the demonstrators wanted to draw the attention of international public opinion to the existence of the wall, which still divides the Sahrawi people and their land, kills and maims innocent people on both sides of the wall, despite the ceasefire in place since 1993.

They also wanted to transmit to the Sahrawis in the refugee camps and the occupied territories that they are not alone in their legitimate struggle to end Moroccan illegal occupation of their land.

mani muro2 12-10-14