Equipe Media
El Aaiun, Occupied Western Sahara – October 11, 2024
Moroccan authorities have intensified their crackdown on Saharawi activists ahead of the 14th anniversary of the Gdeim Izik protest camp. On Thursday, paramilitary forces surrounded the home of prominent human rights defender Ali Salem Tamek in El Aaiun, the occupied Saharawi capital.
Tamek was preparing to host a commemorative event marking the significance of Gdeim Izik, a pivotal moment in the Saharawi struggle for self-determination. However, the Moroccan occupying authorities’ actions have clearly aimed to disrupt and intimidate the gathering.
Throughout the day, police forces have intensified their presence around Tamek’s residence, provoking his family and obstructing visits from fellow activists. Late Thursday evening, the situation escalated when officers forcibly cut the electricity to his home, removing the meter and issuing threats against his family.
These actions underscore the Moroccan government’s ongoing efforts to suppress dissent and silence Saharawi voices calling for self-determination. As the anniversary of Gdeim Izik approaches, the Saharawi people remain steadfast in their resistance against the Moroccan occupation.