Tifariti (liberated territories), May 20, 2013 (SPS) - The festivities commemorating the 40th anniversary of the outbreak of armed struggle in Western Sahara kicked off this morning, Monday, in the liberated town of Tifariti, in the presence of national and foreign delegations.
The event is attended by the President of the Republic and Secretary-General of the POLISARIO Front Mr. Mohamed Abdelaziz, and members of the National Secretariat of the POLISARIO and Saharawi government, as well as senior cadres in the state.
It was launched by a parade by the Saharawi People’s Liberation Army.
Various artistic, cultural and sport festivities are expected to take place during these celebrations.
Moreover, the conference of the chargées of political organizations’ orientation inside the municipalities, Diaspora and army will be held on the sidelines of the event.
A media exhibition that highlights the historic monuments, history of the Saharawi people and handicraft works has opened its doors for the participants at the event too.
The commemoration is attended by Algerian parliamentary delegation, composed of 11 deputies representing various political components, led by the Deputy Speaker of the Algerian National People’s Assembly Mr. Hadi Ahmed.
Delegations of friends of the Saharawi people from several countries of the world are also present.
The Saharawi people marks the 40th anniversary of the creation of Polisario Front and the outbreak of armed struggle amid many outstanding international achievements made at both political and diplomatic levels, including the African Union membership status granted to Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic and its recognition by more than 80 countries around the world.
It, therefore, being celebrated amid worldwide condemnation of Moroccan occupation crimes against the Saharawi people.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro (Spanish acronym; POLISARIO) started the armed struggle on 20 May 1973 against the Spanish colonialism, and is now continuing the struggle against Moroccan occupation since 1975.
These two events were culminated by the formation of first Saharawi National Council on 28 November 1975 and proclamation of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic on 27 February 1976.
Polisario Front was recognized as the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people by the resolution 34/37 adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 21 November 1979, where it has been leading the negotiations with Morocco under UN aegis since more than twenty years. (SPS)
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