NEW YORK (United Nations), October 28, 2026 (SPS) – Coinciding with UN Security Council deliberations on Western Sahara, a photo exhibition titled "50 Years, 50 Faces: Sahrawi Exile, a Life of Resilience" opened yesterday evening at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The exhibition was organized by the Oxfam New York Liaison Office in collaboration with the Permanent Missions of Algeria, Belize, Namibia, South Africa, Timor-Leste, and Uganda.
The 50 photos, captured by Sahrawi photographer Adad Ammi, depict the resilience, struggles, and aspirations of Sahrawi women, men, and youth. By combining photography, personal accounts, and historical context, the exhibition highlights the human reality of the Sahrawi people’s prolonged displacement alongside the broader political context.
The ceremony opened with welcoming remarks by Mr. Afshalom Nghifitikeko, Deputy Permanent Representative of Namibia to the United Nations. This was followed by statements from Ambassador Penda Naanda, Permanent Representative of Namibia; Ambassador Sidi Mohamed Omar, Representative of the Polisario Front to the UN; and Mr. Tariq Sharif of "Rolling Loud." The opening remarks concluded with an address by Ms. Brenda Mofya, Head of the Oxfam International Liaison Office to the UN.
Speakers underscored the significance of hosting the exhibition at UN Headquarters to shed light on the reality of the Sahrawi people. They emphasized that the ongoing suffering of the Sahrawi people is a direct result of the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara and the denial of their right to self-determination and freedom.
In this context, speakers recalled that the Security Council is currently deliberating on Western Sahara, urging the United Nations to fulfill its responsibility towards the Sahrawi people and enable them to freely and democratically exercise their right to self-determination.
The inauguration was attended by diplomats representing UN Permanent Missions, civil society representatives, media members, and Western Sahara solidarity activists from New York State, followed by a reception for the invited guests.
It is worth noting that the Permanent Mission of the Moroccan occupying power attempted to block the opening ceremony inside the UN Headquarters, but its efforts ultimately failed.
Attending diplomats and guests condemned these rogue acts, noting that such behavior once again reflects the repressive and autocratic nature of the Moroccan regime. (SPS)
090/500/60 (SPS)
Related blogs
