The MSP denounces another deadly attack by the Algerian Army against young Saharawi refugees

The Movement Saharawi for Peace (MSP) has denounced a new deadly attack by the Algerian Armed Forces against young Saharawi refugees. 

The first secretary of the MSP, Hach Ahmed Bericalla, reflected this tragedy in a letter sent to Staffan de Mistura, personal envoy of the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) for Western Sahara. 

According to the report, the ‘machine-gunning’ took place in the vicinity of Dakhka Camp, 160 kilometres east of Tindouf, an area of Algeria where thousands of Saharawi refugees live in difficult conditions. 

‘According to the testimony of women from the camp and images recorded by them, the intervention of an Algerian military unit took place a short distance from the camp, resulting in the deaths of two young men and the injury of nine others, three of whom are in a serious condition,’ according to the letter. 

The content of the letter sent by Hach Ahmed Bericalla to Staffan de Mistura is reproduced below: 

Mr Staffan de Mistura.  

Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General. 

Dear Mr Envoy, 

I am writing to you again to inform you of and denounce another machine-gun attack by the Algerian Armed Forces against young Sahrawi refugees. The incident occurred this morning near the Dakhka Camp, 160 kilometres east of Tindouf.  

According to the testimony of women from the camp and images recorded by them, the intervention of an Algerian military unit took place a short distance from the camp, resulting in the deaths of two young men and the injury of nine others, three of whom are in a serious condition.  

Apparently, the young men were engaged in gold mining and were violently repelled by an Algerian patrol using automatic weapons. 

As you know, Mr De Mistura, this is not the first time that events of this nature have occurred. In 2022 and 2024 similar events occurred, claiming the lives of a dozen young refugees forced by the lack of work to seek their fortune, even if it means risking their lives. 

It is clear, Mr UN Envoy, that this situation highlights the urgent need for the international organisation to accelerate the political process and move towards a swift peaceful solution to the problem of Western Sahara.  

In the meantime, the UN, through the High Commissioner for Refugees (HCR), must take charge of the needs and protection of the refugees, providing resources and means of subsistence to prevent poverty and desperation from driving young people to risk their lives in illegal activities or falling into the hands of traffickers or jihadist groups in the Sahel. 

Finally, to reiterate, as I have said on more than one occasion, that it is time to democratise the political process undertaken by the UN and allow an opportunity for the MSP in its capacity as a ‘third way’ to contribute to a compromise solution before the last MINURSO mandate runs out. 

Yours sincerely,  

Hach Ahmed 

First Secretary of the MSP.