Equipe Media – Occupied El Aaiún
November 2, 2024
2 Norwegian activists Ingeborg Sævik Heltne and Vivian Kaulen Nedenes were forcibly expelled from the occupied city of El Aaiún by Moroccan occupying authorities. The pair had traveled to the region to assess the Sahrawi perspective on Morocco’s controversial renewable energy projects in Western Sahara—a territory classified by the United Nations as the last colony in Africa yet to be decolonized.
In an interview with Equipe Media, Heltne described the incident, saying: “While we were inside having tea and speaking with some Sahrawi activists, we were informed that more police were arriving. When they did, they started knocking on the door, and we prepared to leave.” Outside, they were met by a large group of plainclothes officers who asked for their passports and escorted them away. Heltne added, “It all happened very quickly. They told us we were not allowed to be in that part of El Aaiún, and that we had to leave.”
According to Heltne, the occupying authorities provided little clarity about their actions. She said, “We asked if it was legal for them to search our phones, and they simply ignored us. They never elaborated, never cited any law or regulations, and never identified themselves.” She mentioned that the officers insisted that they were forbidden from photographing public places and interacting with “people who don’t have authority.”
Despite the tense situation, Heltne expressed deep admiration for the Sahrawi people, stating that they “feel a deep gratitude and admiration for the courage and generosity of the Sahrawi activists.” Reflecting on the encounter, she said: “While today’s ongoing confrontations with the police have been frightening and overwhelming, they pale in comparison to the stories we heard today. We are very impressed and grateful and promise to stay in the fight and continue to stand in solidarity.”
Heltne highlighted the frustration of the Sahrawis regarding the renewable energy projects, noting that “these projects are used to power the extractive industries in the occupied territories, and the profits go directly to the Moroccans. Sahrawis are never employed in these projects; they are reserved for Moroccans who move to settle in the occupied territories.” She concluded, “Renewable energy is a natural resource, and both Norway and the European Union should not support it.”
When asked by Equipe Media about the motives behind the Moroccan occupation’s swift expulsion, Heltne said: “Having dozens of police in civilian clothing following two young women around the city, and detaining and deporting us with such a large number of personnel and control shows clearly that Morocco has something to hide.” For Heltne and Nedenes, this ordeal reinforced their commitment to supporting the Sahrawi cause and amplifying the voices of those who risk their safety to resist the occupation.
