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The Polisario inaugurated the 13th edition of its summer university in Boumerdès on Sunday, August 3, dedicated to the «cadres of the Sahrawi Republic». However, the opening ceremony was notably marked by the absence of the Algerian government, the event’s main organizer. No member of Prime Minister Nadir Larbaoui’s cabinet attended alongside the Polisario’s self-proclaimed «prime minister», Bouchraya Bayoune, nor was a video message of support sent to participants.
Algerian involvement was limited to a live address by Said Ayachi, president of the «Algerian Committee of Solidarity with the Sahrawi People», the group behind the summer university since 2009. As for Algeria’s political parties, their participation fell short of the Polisario’s expectations. The head of the National Liberation Front (FLN) declined to attend altogether.
According to the Polisario’s press agency, the historic FLN party sent only «representatives». The presence of general secretaries from smaller Algerian parties offered little consolation to the Front. Leaders of the «Front for the Future», the «Rally of Hope for Algeria», and the «Front for Good Governance» delivered speeches at the opening ceremony to express solidarity with the Polisario, the same source reported.
It is worth noting that in 2019, Algiers sent the president of the lower house of Parliament, Slimane Chenine, to represent the Algerian state at the summer university. At that time, Algerian ministers and political party leaders were regular participants in the event. In 2018, former FLN secretary-general Djamel Ould-Abbès addressed attendees at the gathering.
Another striking detail of this 13th edition is the absence of Brahim Ghali from the opening session.
In a related development, U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed his support for Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in a message addressed to King Mohammed VI on the occasion of Throne Day. He also reiterated support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative, describing it as «serious, credible, and realistic», and the only viable basis for a just and lasting resolution to the conflict.
