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The Rabouni camp, headquarters of the Polisario leadership on Algerian territory, witnessed an unusual gathering yesterday. Around a hundred members of the Front's militias, operating in the 1st military region, laid down their weapons and fatigues in front of the Front's general secretariat, announcing their definitive break with the «Saharawi army».
Since then, this protest has fueled debate among Sahrawis on social media. In audio messages, some have described it as a «coup d'état», while others have urged Brahim Ghali to «engage in dialogue with the military». Said Zarwal, a Front member based in Sweden, called on the Polisario leader «to respond to the demands of the men on the ground because the first beneficiary of the absence of dialogue between the two parties is the Moroccan occupier».
Mahmoud Zaidan, who lives in exile in France, noted on social media that the «resignation» of around a hundred militiamen from the 1st military region proves that «the army is not doing well; institutions are not built with montage and Photoshop». These are two voices critical of Brahim Ghali's management of the Polisario, but not known to be close to Morocco.
The first military region was located near El Guerguerate. This base, considered «liberated territory», has been inoperative since November 13, 2020. Interventions by Royal Armed Forces (FAR) drones forced the militias of the separatist movement to flee to the Tindouf camps in Algerian territory.
From mutiny to defection
«This new development was to be expected. It is the direct consequence of the Polisario leader's refusal to open a dialogue with these soldiers», Salem Abdelfattah told Yabiladi.
«They observed an open sit-in for weeks to protest against their leader's embezzlement of products intended for the operation of the 1st military region, including fuel that he sold on the Mauritanian market».
«Last April, they had issued a warning to the Polisario leadership by detaining their hierarchical superior, but Brahim Ghali and his followers ignored it. Logically, they ended up leaving the Front's militia», explains the president of the Laayoune-based Sahrawi Observatory for Information and Human Rights.
This resignation comes at a time when the situation in the Tindouf camps is confused. The management fears the effect of this protest spreading as Brahim Ghali's authority wavers.
The man no longer enjoys unanimous support among his followers. Bashir Mustapha Sayed and Oubi Bashir have publicly called for a conference to evaluate the eight years at the head of the Front.
