The Sahraoui Movement for Peace (MSP) closed this Friday 23 the "1st International Conference for Peace and Security" with the publication of the Manifesto of the Canary Islands, a document that includes its demands and proposals to unblock the conflict that is blocking stability in "Western Sahara" for more than four decades.
The platform, led by the first secretary general, Hach Ahmed Baricalla, and supported among others by the heads of sahraoui tribes, set out in the political document its vision of the resolution of the conflict through dialogue. The objective is ultimately to widen the spectrum of representation of the sahraoui people, whose historical demands have been capitalized on by the polisario front.
The MSP claims to have sent the manifesto to the United Nations and other international bodies involved in the conflict, as well as to the polisario front and Morocco , the main actors. Through this roadmap, the movement seeks to obtain the autonomy of the saharaoui people.
Canary Islands Manifesto
Dear friends and brothers,
During these two days, we are gathered here to talk about our dear Sahara, not because of the long and difficult road traveled until today, but because of the exciting future that lies before our eyes, no doubt full of well-being and prosperity. A future for all and for all Saharawis. A future that will not be long in coming, provided that we do not turn our backs on the winds of change that are emerging on this issue.
A future which, ultimately, will serve to leave behind us the dark days, full of suffering and sorrow, which have darkened our horizon, in this permanent journey towards nothingness in which those people who once made us spend their personal interest before the general interest of the Saharawis, perpetuating this conflict to the limits of exhaustion.
Today is a historic day. It's a special day. We are gathered here, in beautiful Gran Canaria, on the opposite shore, members of the sahraoui traditional authority, renowned politicians and academics and, in short, those of us who are on the side of the solution and no of the problem. In short, we are faced with a wave of reasons to believe and a wave of reasons to change.
Indeed, we have the opportunity to contribute to this change. But to do so, we believe it is necessary and essential to promote the necessary mechanisms through which this dispute can be brought closer to a speedier resolution. Those are :
1. Build confidence in the role of the UN as the backbone of a compromise solution. In this respect, we believe that it is essential in the short term to increase the spaces for dialogue with the participation of new leaders, such as the sahraoui notables or the Sahraoui Movement for Peace itself, in order to intensify the efforts in seeking agreement on this issue. We must also support the UN Special Envoy, Staffan de Mistura, and ask him to redouble the efforts of the UN to achieve constructive progress in resolving this drawn-out political process and avoid a return to the traditional stalemate. Finally, we urge you to be more willing to enforce the ceasefire in order to avoid further casualties.
2. To applaud and welcome as a very positive development the new position of the Spanish government on this issue, recognizing the autonomy proposal for the region as the most serious, credible and feasible. In this sense, the fact that Spain departs from its traditional "negative neutrality" reinforces this proposal and favors its role as the main intermediary in a Spain-EU dynamic, with a view to greater involvement of the latter in order to move more quickly in resolving this issue. We hope that the Spanish government will not give in to pressure from those who want to perpetuate this situation and that it will remain firm. In this regard, we also call on the parties of
3º Valuing and strengthening the role of traditional sahraoui authority, represented by its notables or shiujs, whose tribal authority has been questioned by another who claims to perpetually arrogate to itself the representativeness of the sahraoui population as an "eternal title ", without any democratic process that periodically legitimizes it. We also believe that the participation of this traditional sahraoui authority in the peace process within the framework of the United Nations is essential, thus opening the process to the participation of new actors.
4º Warn of the negative effects of the persistence of this situation over the years. There is no doubt that the permanent tension in the region is harmful for both sides of the Atlantic-Mediterranean axis. It is absolutely necessary to end this situation as soon as possible, as this would help reduce this tension and stabilize the region in today's world, which is full of upheaval and war scenarios. The Canary Islands would also benefit from this stability, especially in terms of cultural and economic exchanges with our neighbors and brothers.
5º Finally, and in a very special way, we must remember all those families who have been torn apart for decades by the intransigence of a few. It is therefore essential to find a solution that allows immediate family reunification, which leads to a dignified life, to social progress and, in short, to being able to take advantage of the resources offered by one's own country, leaving behind the difficulties of the exile in the desert. We understand that the self-reliance proposal is the starting point that ushers in a new era in which there is room for everyone, and in which everyone can prosper in peace and harmony.
These are the foundations on which we believe change must be built. And we are here today to kick off that change. A change that aims to build a better Sahara, designed by and for the people. The time has come to reaffirm our commitment in this regard.
Our story is one of a struggle against adversity, of a victory over adversity. It is a story of collective effort in which the work of all must be used to build a better future, a story that must be distanced from toxic and inquisitive leaders, whose failure as leaders has been demonstrated by the facts. It is the story of a people, the people of the desert, who have reason to believe that there is still time.
They have time to put an end to this disgrace, before this disgrace finishes them off.
Thanks a lot.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 23 September 2022
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