Algiers (Algeria) 17 October 2024 (SPS) - Swedish activists Benjamin Ladraa and Sanae Qutbi, who are advocating for the Sahrawi cause, arrived on Wednesday in Algeria as part of their awareness campaign "Bike for Western Sahara" to support the just cause of the Sahrawi people.
In a statement to the Algerian News Agency (APS) upon their arrival at Algiers International Airport "Houari Boumediene," the Swedish activists emphasized that this bicycle tour, which they have been undertaking for two years across 25 countries, aims to raise more awareness about the situation in the occupied Western Sahara and support the Sahrawi people's struggle for freedom.
They seek to "highlight the last colony in Africa and the extent of human rights violations the Sahrawi people face at the hands of the Moroccan occupation."
For this reason, the Swedish activists explained, "we chose to ride bicycles for 30,000 km around the world over more than two years to speak and connect directly with people, shedding light on the Sahrawi cause. We have conducted over 200 media interviews and 100 lectures at universities, public forums, and political gatherings in 25 countries."
The supporters of the Sahrawi cause stated that Algeria will be the final stop of this tour, during which they will visit several provinces in the next three months, including Algiers, Blida, Chlef, Mostaganem, Oran, and Béchar, before heading to the Sahrawi refugee camps.
Regarding their program at the refugee camps, the activists highlighted that they will organize a "Global Solidarity Summit" from January 5 to 7, 2025, to discuss the struggle for the independence of Western Sahara.
They also mentioned that "over 100 activists, journalists, politicians, and researchers from around the world have joined them, hoping that this will help draw global attention to the situation in Western Sahara."
Additionally, Benjamin Ladraa and Sanae Qutbi noted that their presence at the Sahrawi refugee camps would be an opportunity to meet with Sahrawi organizations "and celebrate their arrival there after this long journey." (SPS)
090/500/60 (SPS)