Kidnapping crisis in Tindouf raises alarm over Sahrawi welfare

Recent reports have ignited serious concerns regarding the escalating incidents of kidnapping within the Algeria-controlled Tindouf camps. The Sahrawi Autonomy Support Forum (FORSATIN) has condemned the abduction of an elderly man, who appeared in a distressing video pleading for his son’s intervention.

In the video, the elderly man implores his son to comply with the demands of his kidnappers or to surrender individuals implicated in the theft of their goods. He expresses his anguish, stating he is enduring a "slow death" due to his captivity, thereby urging his son to act on his behalf, whether he is alive or deceased.

FORSATIN emphasized that the man's desperate plea reflects the unbearable nature of his abduction, suggesting a profound level of despair that drives him to seek help even from beyond the grave.

The organization has highlighted that the Sahrawi community within the Tindouf camps is currently reeling from shock and disbelief following the release of this video. They are calling for immediate intervention to ensure the man's safety.

Moreover, FORSATIN has raised alarming claims regarding the involvement of a prominent Polisario leader with the gang responsible for the kidnapping. This has led the separatist group to publicly distance itself from the incident. The forum pointed out that it is widely known that several Polisario leaders are engaged in drug trafficking and smuggling, often employing criminals to facilitate these operations while granting them protection.

The Tindouf camps, where the true number of Sahrawis remains unknown due to Algeria’s refusal to conduct a census, are plagued by similar crises. Protests have erupted within the camps, condemning the ongoing kidnappings, including the case of Ahmed El Khalil, a former Polisario member who has been missing for over 16 years.

Families of the missing, including El Khalil’s, have expressed their frustration towards the Polisario leadership, demanding clarity and accountability regarding the disappearances of their loved ones.

In a recent session at the Human Rights Council, Fatima Ezzahrae Zouhairi from the Sahrawi NGO Promotion of Economic and Social Development shed light on the dire conditions in the camps. She noted that the geographical isolation of these camps, far removed from international oversight, exacerbates human rights violations. Vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, are especially susceptible to physical and psychological violence amid the inhumane living conditions.

As the situation in Tindouf continues to deteriorate, it is imperative that the international community takes note and acts to address these urgent humanitarian concerns.