A female delegation from the MSP participates in meetings of the Socialist International in Istanbul

A delegation from the Union of Women of the Sahrawi Movement for Peace (MSP) arrived in Istanbul to participate in the meetings of the Socialist International Women's Council scheduled for 22 and 23 May in the Turkish capital.

The delegation is headed by Maimouna Al-Dulaimi, member of the Central Committee and chair of the MSP Women's Committee, and includes Fatima Daoud, chair of the Civil Society Committee, Mukhtara Mint Laribi, member of the MSP Coordination Committee in Wadi Dhahab, and Saadani Ahl Aba of the Centre for Political and Strategic Studies.

The delegation was accompanied by Mohammed Sharif, member of the Central Committee and head of the MSP's Foreign Relations Committee. This meeting of women precedes the Socialist International Summit, to be held from 23 to 25 May, in which the first secretary of the MSP, Hach Ahmed Bericalla, will participate. 

This is the first time that the Sahrawi Movement for Peace has participated in the Socialist International Conference, one year after submitting its application for membership, which culminated in its acceptance as a member of the organisation last January. The Socialist International comprises more than 130 social democratic and progressive parties, including the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) and other ruling political forces in countries in Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia.

The presence of the Sahrawi delegation in Istanbul is part of the MSP's strategy to expand its political and diplomatic presence and open up to international actors, particularly on issues of women, peace and development in a changing world.