Kamal Fadel, the Polisario Front’s representative to Australia, commented on the struggle in a July 30 interview with the Militant. “The continuing protests show the total failure of Morocco to win the hearts and minds of the people and show the determination and strong will of the Saharawis for independence,” Fadel said.

The occupying army and police responded to the protests with brutal force, attacking demonstrations and beating and arresting protesters. Prison sentences of up to 20 years have been dealt out to some of those imprisoned. Twelve detainees were sentenced July 12 to eight years in prison by a Moroccan court.

“By getting out in the streets and by demonstrating—this is the true referendum on self-determination,” he said, referring to the long-delayed United Nations sponsored agreement reached in 1991 to hold a referendum in Western Sahara.

“The UN has not been willing to exert pressure on the Moroccan regime,” Fadel said. The Moroccan monarchy is firmly backed by Washington, Madrid, and Paris. The UN and most countries, he said, have been silent on the latest abuse of rights of the Saharawi people.  
 
 
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