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In the Tindouf camps, several Sahrawi merchants took to the streets to protest against restrictions imposed by Algeria. On Sunday, May 5, a protest took place in the Tindouf camps. «While they were waiting for the release of 16 detainees, held for almost ten days, Sahrawi families started protesting in the camps», a well-informed source that requested anonymity told Yabiladi. «A gendarmerie unit then intervened, arresting several people», the same source added.
Since the beginning of Hirak protests in Algeria, the Algerian authorities ordered the Front’s «Interior Ministry» to reduce the number of cars and trucks leaving the camps. This decision had a negative impact on the living conditions of Sahrawis in the Tindouf camps. Protests in the camps resulted in the arrest of «100 individuals», the same source added.
«While a group of Sahrawi protestors were released Sunday, others are still detained in the Eddhaibia prison. They are suffering there without being informed of a trial date», the same source indicated.
Targeting Sahrawis living outside the camps
Merchants in the Tindouf camps are not the only victims of the restrictions imposed by the movement’s leadership as Sahrawis living outside the camps are also targeted. The Algerian authorities have launched a campaign, stripping Sahrawis from their Algerian passports and preventing many of them, who are settled down in Europe, from leaving the camps.
These administrative documents are primordial for those who do not have Spanish citizenships and who want to live in Europe or elsewhere. Indeed, several European countries see passports, issued by the Polisario, with no legal value, because the movement is not a member of the United Nations.
«Considering the current political situation in Algeria, such measures and campaigns are quite normal», the same source said. Also, it is not the first time that Algerians do a similar thing, the same source said, referring to a campaign launched by Algeria in February 2017.
Faced with these strict measures, Sahrawi merchants rallied, Friday May 3rd, protesting against these restrictions.
