Armed clashes between suspected drug traffickers have shaken Laayoune Camp in Tindouf, raising alarm among residents and sparking fresh protests over deteriorating security conditions in the Sahrawi refugee camps.
The violence, which erupted earlier this week, lasted for several hours and left residents terrified. Eyewitnesses say security forces were notably absent during the incident, prompting angry calls for better protection and a stronger crackdown on organized crime.
وسط تصاعد العنف واستعمال الرصاص الحي في مخيمات تندوف، تتعرض حياة النساء والأطفال الصحراويين المحتجزين لمخاطر جسيمة. فعاليات حقوقية تدعو المجتمع الدولي لتحمل مسؤوليته في حماية المدنيين، وسط انفلات أمني يهدد السلم داخل وخارج مخيمات باتت تحصد أرواح الأبرياء.#البوليساريو #الجزائر pic.twitter.com/LE2QFcYogP
— Naama MAOULAININE 🇲🇦 النعمة ماء العينين (@NMalainin) April 26, 2025
In the wake of the unrest, the Polisario Front convened an emergency meeting. Its leader, Brahim Ghali, urged unity among Sahrawis and warned of what he described as “plots by enemies” aiming to destabilize the camps and sow division within the community.
A statement from the group acknowledged growing criminal activity and called for more robust efforts to address escalating internal threats.
While Polisario “officials” blamed external forces, some voices within the broader Sahrawi community offered a different perspective.
Said Zeroual, a Sahrawi human rights activist based in Sweden, called for a reassessment of the political direction in the camps.
He warned that the continued emphasis on self-determination without tangible progress is leaving many refugees disillusioned and without hope.
Zeroual also urged Algerian authorities to explore more sustainable solutions that prioritize dignity and long-term stability for camp residents.
This is not the first time violence has erupted in Tindouf. Similar clashes in 2024 also involved drug networks, underscoring persistent concerns about criminal infiltration and the challenges of maintaining law and order in the camps.
As tension simmers and frustration grows, observers say the need for practical security and governance measures is becoming increasingly urgent.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.