Arrested in Panama a nephew of the Polisario Front leader in Algeria

Panama's National Border Service arrested the nephew of Mohammed Alouki, leader of the Polisario Front in Algeria, at a border crossing when Panamanian authorities intercepted the suspect allegedly with a large sum of cash, according to Crítica.

The exact identity of the detainee is being withheld for security reasons and he was allegedly carrying $69,000 in cash, raising suspicions about possible illegal activities, Crítica reported, citing comments also from AUSACO, an organisation linked to Western Sahara issues.

In an operation to detect illegal activities, the National Border Service inspected the vehicle in which the suspect was travelling and found, in addition to the money, items that could have been intended for smuggling. The exact nature of the goods seized has not been detailed, but there is speculation that they are high-value goods, according to reports. 

Mohammed Alouki's nephew was immediately arrested and taken into custody for questioning in connection with the smuggling and possible links to illegal networks, pending further investigations by the Panamanian authorities into the possible network of illegal activities, according to Crítica. 

Apparently, there is surprise within the Polisario Front, which in principle dissociates itself from any connection with the incident, although there is no official statement from the Polisario organisation. 

The border police in #Panama 🇵🇦 have arrested the nephew of Mohamed Alouki, a leader in the #Polisario Front 🇩🇿, with $69,000 💵 of smuggled money in his possession.#WesternSahara #Algeria pic.twitter.com/R9yAuwf3o5

— AUSACO (@ausacoalition) May 18, 2023

Following this information, controversy continues to follow the Polisario Front, an organisation that defends the independence of Western Sahara and which is strongly questioned for the conditions under which Saharawi refugees are kept living in the Tindouf camps in Algeria. Algeria is the main ally of the Polisario Front and a major political rival of Morocco in North Africa. 

The Moroccan kingdom is proposing the opposite initiative to resolve the dispute over control of Western Sahara, as it advocates a formula of broad autonomy for the territory under Moroccan sovereignty, respecting the resolutions of the United Nations (UN). This position has the backing of important countries such as the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Germany and even Spain, the former colonial metropolis in the area. 

The Polisario Front's proposal to hold a referendum on independence among the Sahrawi people has less support on the international scene, including Algeria, which broke off diplomatic relations with Morocco in August 2021 over insurmountable political differences, including the Western Sahara issue. 

The UN special envoy for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, is continuing his talks with the parties involved to settle the Sahrawi dispute, which has lasted more than four decades, in the hope of bringing positions closer together, although, despite the fact that many countries support Morocco in its autonomy project, there is still reluctance on the side of the Polisario Front and Algeria to reach an understanding, as there is still insistence on this side to hold a referendum on independence.