A march in Tindouf to denounce abductions by Polisario leaders

The Tindouf camps witnessed a protest march on Tuesday, March 18, against the kidnapping of Sahrawis by armed groups linked to drug trafficking, according to the Forum for the Support of Tindouf Autonomists (FORSATIN).

The abduction of Fadili, an octogenarian who has been held for over four months, served as the catalyst for the mobilization. His kidnappers operate openly, even allowing their hostage to plead in videos shared on social media for his son to return the drugs he allegedly stole from the traffickers in exchange for his release.

Despite this alarming situation, the Polisario leadership remains silent. No investigation has been launched to locate Fadili, a lack of action that was strongly criticized during Tuesday's march. Growing voices in the Tindouf camps, through audio messages, have accused a senior official of the Front’s armed militias—reportedly close to Brahim Ghali—of leading the gang responsible for the abduction.

During the demonstration, a family member of the hostage spoke out, condemning «a crime that cannot be tolerated» and calling for unity against the Polisario leadership’s suspicious silence, according to FORSATIN.