SADR participates in the All Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo

The Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic will participate for the first time in the African Games. The 11th edition of these games will take place from 4th to 19th September in Brazzaville, Congo and marks the 50th anniversary of these games. The first edition was in 1965. The decision to invite SADR was unanimous in the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA).

Photo: AP Photo

Morocco isolated

Morocco does not participate since 1978 and is an increasingly isolated country in Africa despite all the manipulation efforts and approach to various countries as was recently the case of Guinea Bissau.

The illegal occupation of Western Sahara, the lack of respect for United Nations resolutions and multiple calls from the African Union and the proximity to the Israeli regime transforms Morocco into the pariah of Africa, not only in political issues as well as culture and sports.

Children stoned by Moroccans

During the World Cup 2014, the Moroccan occupation forces attacked the Saharawi population in the occupied territories who were celebrating peacefully the success of Algeria by passing to the quarter finals. During these aggressions not even children were spared by stoning, the Saharawi journalist Mahmoud El Haisan of SADR TV, which denounced these attacks, was arrested and tortured.

This action of the Kingdom of Morocco clearly shows the lack of sportsmanship and contempt for basic rights when it comes to Saharawi citizens.

The best-known Saharawi athlete, Salah Amaidan, born in El Aaiun and exiled in France, has won several titles in Africa under the banner of Morocco, but the day he raised the Saharawi flag at the end of a competition his life was in danger and he had to ask for political asylum. He always exhibits the Saharawi flag at the end of the race when he competes. In an interview to a French newspaper he said that he never sleeps more than 48 hours in the same location for security reasons. His life has been made into a film "The Runner" by  Saeed Taji Farouky. Salah's sister, Laila Amaidan also an athlete, runs for France and won the Bronze medal in the 10,000m at the European championship in 2014.

Isabel Lourenço

August 16th, 2015