Hundreds of pro-Morocco Sahrawis mark Green March in Laayoune
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Africanews
Hundreds of Sahrawis supporting Morocco gathered in Laayoune to mark the anniversary of the Green March, a 1975 mobilisation. The commemoration comes after the end of MINURSO, as the Sahara conflict enters a new diplomatic phase, according to Africanews with the Associated Press.
Hundreds of Sahrawis supporting Morocco gathered on Friday in Laayoune to mark the anniversary of the Green March, a 1975 mobilisation that preceded Morocco's takeover of most of the Sahara, according to Africanews with the Associated Press.
Layla Choraifi, a pro-Morocco demonstrator, said she supported King Mohammed VI and the autonomy initiative proposed by Rabat for the Sahara provinces. On the other side of the territory, Sahrawis supporting independence associate the anniversary with the start of Morocco's takeover and the displacement of thousands of people, according to Africanews with the Associated Press.
The celebration comes as MINURSO, the UN mission in the Sahara, is being withdrawn after its mandate expired on 31 October. Created in 1991, it was tasked with monitoring the ceasefire and organising a referendum on the territory's status, according to Africanews with the Associated Press.
The celebration comes after the end of MINURSO, which occurred on 31 October, and as Rabat reaffirmed on 5 November the maintenance of the ceasefire in the Sahara.
