Agrópoli (Italy) 1 February 2025 (SPS) – The city of Agrópoli, in Italy’s Salerno province, hosted an important seminar today on the Sahrawi cause, aimed at educating Italian youth on the significance of this just cause and raising awareness about the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination and independence.
The seminar saw a significant turnout, with around 500 participants from various educational institutions and civil society organizations, reflecting growing interest in the issue.
The event brought together prominent figures, including the city's mayor and his deputies, the Algerian Consul General in Naples and his deputies, as well as the Polisario Front representative in Italy, Mrs. Fatma Mahfoud, and Sahrawi activist Mohamed Dihani. Additionally, three Italian associations that host Sahrawi children during summer holidays took part, reaffirming their commitment to supporting the Sahrawi cause.
The seminar featured a series of speeches, with the mayor emphasizing the role of youth in supporting just causes, including the Sahrawi people's struggle. Civil society representatives also highlighted the importance of spreading awareness about the issue and supporting the Sahrawis through initiatives such as hosting Sahrawi children, which fosters cultural exchange and mutual understanding.
For her part, the Polisario Front representative, Mrs. Fatma Mahfoud, addressed the political challenges facing the Sahrawi cause, condemning the international community’s silence on the prolonged conflict and stressing Morocco’s failure to comply with UN resolutions.
The Sahrawi diplomat also highlighted the dire humanitarian conditions in the Sahrawi refugee camps, calling for increased humanitarian aid to alleviate their suffering.
Sahrawi activist Mohamed Dihani focused on the human rights situation in the occupied territories, shedding light on systematic violations targeting Sahrawis, particularly activists and journalists. He also referenced the recent physical assault on Sahrawi activists Mohamed Mayara and Ahmed Ettanji by Moroccan police.
Dihani further addressed the plight of Sahrawi political prisoners, such as the Gdeim Izik group and the El-Wali group, who have been held for years under harsh sentences.
Having personally endured abduction, enforced disappearance, and torture, Dihani stressed the need to expose Morocco’s deceptive diplomatic practices and political pressures used to mislead international public opinion.
The event further featured cultural and artistic performances, including classical musical pieces and revolutionary Hassaniya poetry readings, accompanied by soft music, adding an emotional depth to the seminar.
Additionally, live testimonies were presented by Sahrawis recounting their experiences fleeing Moroccan occupation to southern Algeria, highlighting the suffering of Sahrawi refugees.
At the conclusion of the seminar, participants unanimously emphasized the need for joint efforts to support the Sahrawi cause and strengthen international solidarity to achieve justice and enable the Sahrawi people to exercise their legitimate right to self-determination and independence.
The discussions underscored the importance of continuing efforts to raise awareness about the cause and ensuring that the Sahrawi people's voice is heard on the international stage.
090/500/60 (SPS)
Related blogs
