Algiers, 15 November 2024 (SPS) - Two Swedish activists supporting the Sahrawi cause, Benjamin Ladraa and Sanna Ghotbi, resumed their long bicycle journey on Friday, starting from the Riadh El-Feth esplanade in Algiers, heading towards the Sahrawi refugee camps to express their solidarity with the Sahrawi people and Western Sahara, the last colony in Africa.
In a statement to the media, the two activists and ardent defenders of the Sahrawi cause expressed their "delight" in beginning this final stage of their long journey, which has taken them nearly 32,000 kilometers through 25 countries, starting from the notable Riadh El-Feth esplanade.
"I am very happy to start the final stage of our long bicycle trip from the Riadh El-Feth esplanade, near the Martyr's Sanctuary, a historic and highly symbolic place, towards the Sahrawi refugee camps, where the people are fighting for their independence," declared Benjamin Ladraa, thanking Algeria for its hospitality and warm welcome during their stay in Algiers.
"Our fight and solidarity with the Sahrawi people and their just cause will continue until the final victory of the Sahrawis," he added.
For her part, Sanna Ghotbi expressed her "great happiness" at starting the final leg of their long bicycle journey, which began over two and a half years ago, towards the Sahrawi refugee camps.
"I am so happy to begin today the final stage of our solidarity adventure towards the Sahrawi refugee camps, a dream so dear to me that is finally about to become a reality," she said, also thanking Algeria for its generosity and unwavering commitment to just causes, including the Sahrawi cause.
According to activist Sanna Ghotbi, their bicycle journey to the Sahrawi refugee camps will last almost two months and will take them through several provinces of the country, including Blida, Chlef, Mostaganem, Oran, Tlemcen, and Béchar, noting that this trek will include several activities in each province they pass through.
"We have indeed planned meetings with students, local authorities, as well as civil society," added Sanna Ghotbi, emphasizing that the largest manifestation of solidarity with the Sahrawi people will be organized at the Sahrawi refugee camps in early January.
In this regard, she mentioned that "no less than 80 activists and defenders of the Sahrawi cause from the countries they cycle through will come to express their solidarity with the Sahrawi people and will participate in programmed activities on site, including conferences, caravans, and more."
"The bicycle journey is not the last act of solidarity with the Sahrawi people; many other actions will be organized in the future, including trips to the United Nations headquarters, to raise the voice of the Sahrawi people high and loud," she promised.
Present at the event, the President of the Algerian National Committee for Solidarity with the Sahrawi People (CNASPS), Said Ayachi, stated that "this act of solidarity par excellence with the Sahrawi people shows once again that the Sahrawi people are not alone" and that their cause is an international one. For Mr. Ayachi, this kind of action is capable of advancing the Sahrawi people's struggle for independence.
"This outdoor activity will provide more visibility and value to the Sahrawi cause," he emphasized, noting that Algerians who are supportive of the Sahrawi cause will accompany the two Swedes during their journey to the Sahrawi refugee camps.