Algeria Continues to Exploit polisario to Draw Attention Away From its 'Catastrophic' Internal Situation, Peruvian Expert Says

The Algerian military regime continues to exploit the “polisario” to distract attention away from the “catastrophic” political, economic, social and human rights situation in the country, said Peruvian expert in international relations Ricardo Sanchez Serra, stressing that Algeria is clearly frustrated by Morocco’s diplomatic successes.

In an article published by Peruvian newspaper “Expreso”, Sanchez Serra commented international reports on links between the separatist group, created by Algeria, and terrorist groups like Al-Qaida and Daesh.

The Peruvian expert also highlighted the great international support enjoyed by Morocco following its intervention to restore freedom of movement at El Guerguerat broder crossing passage, blocked over three weeks by the separatists, while recalling the opening in the southern provinces of Morocco of consulates by several African, Arab and Latin American countries.

Algeria has for years used its official military media to spread false propaganda aimed at confusing international public opinion about “the separatist group that it created and continues to shelter and fund”, he said, adding that the regime continues to divert international aid intended for the populations held in Tindouf for Algerian generals.

“The Polisario is nothing more than a separatist group without any state prerequisites. It is a simple armed group exploited by the intelligence services and the army in Algeria, a group which cannot claim to represent a people, because there are people kidnapped and detained in the Tindouf camps in inhuman conditions,” Sanchez Serra pointed out.

The political analyst, who had visited Tindouf camps in the past, stressed that with the exception of those kidnapped who do not enjoy the most basic human rights such as freedom of expression and movement and political participation, the rest of the Sahrawis live in the southern provinces of the Kingdom as Moroccan citizens. This reality shows that the Polisario can in no way claim to represent the Sahrawis, particularly since this does not appear in any of the UN resolutions, he noted.

According to the expert, people of other nationalities had been brought to Tindouf camps in Algerian territory to increase the number of the locals. These camps have meanwhile become a hotbed for terrorist groups, arms and drugs trafficking and human trafficking networks, he said.

The Polisario aims to carry out separatist plans from Algerian soil and with the support of the latter, he underlined, noting that Morocco has allocated enormous financial resources to promote development in the southern provinces since their recovery. 

He also recalled the development model of the southern provinces launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in 2015, and which constitutes a “real lever for promoting development”.

In this regard, the international expert stressed that these large-scale projects and investments, which reflect the stability and security in the Moroccan Sahara, as well as the cooperation agreements signed with foreign stakeholders, refute the allegations of Algeria and its puppet the polisario on natural resources.