Shocking Change In North Africa: The Division Of The Polisario Front

In a groundbreaking development, the Sahrawi Movement for Peace (MSP) has embarked on a mission to reshape the dynamics of the Western Sahara conflict. From May 14 to 22, 2024, an MSP delegation visited Argentina and Paraguay, advocating for peaceful resolution and constructive dialogue. Haj Ahmed Barikallah, the MSP's First Secretary, emphasized the dire humanitarian conditions in the Tindouf camps, calling for negotiation as the sole path to end the suffering of the Sahrawi people.

During an Argentine radio interview on May 18, Barikallah presented the MSP as a peaceful opposition to the Polisario Front, urging for a political dialogue to alleviate the hardships faced by the Sahrawi. Addressing an audience in Buenos Aires, Barikallah, introduced by Dr. Graciela L. Cosentino and Dr. Adalberto C. Agozino, underscored the MSP's commitment to a democratic and progressive Sahrawi society, ideals initially shared with the Polisario.

Barikallah revealed his disillusionment with the Polisario's militaristic approach, advocating instead for a negotiated settlement with Morocco. He criticized the outdated single-party political system and highlighted the urgent need for an alternative to the war path proposed by the Polisario. The MSP supports Morocco's autonomy proposal, envisioning a self-governing Sahrawi authority within three years under Moroccan sovereignty.

Barikallah's plea for UN-mediated or direct negotiations underscores the MSP's pragmatic approach to resolving a conflict that has trapped thousands in one of the world's harshest deserts. The MSP's vision starkly contrasts with the Polisario's stance, offering a hopeful new direction for the Sahrawi people.