How the Algerian regime forged the narrative of “Saharan refugees” and their numbers in the Tindouf camps?

ALDAR/

For decades, the issue of Sahrawis in the Tindouf camps has received widespread international media attention, portraying them as refugees suffering from exile and hoping to return to their homeland. However, the question arises as to whether this narrative represents the full truth, or is it simply part of a political storyline that is misleading. When we delve into the facts, we find that what is being promoted is nothing more than a distorted image of the relationship between the Sahrawis and their land, and a narrative far removed from the actual reality that reflects the true face of this crisis.

Firstly, it is important to note that the Sahrawis have never been a people tied to a fixed geographic region. They are originally nomadic Bedouins, and many of them moved to the Tindouf camps under harsh economic and environmental conditions. Although Algeria and the Polisario try to portray these Sahrawis as victims living in a state of forced exile, the reality is different. Most of the people in Tindouf are not original Sahrawis from Western Sahara, but instead hail from regions such as Algeria, Mali, and Mauritania. They moved to these camps due to droughts in the Sahel region or were recruited by Algerian or Polisario forces in the context of the political conflict.

The figures related to the number of these “refugees” are another controversial topic. In the 1970s, Algeria spoke of 100,000 refugees in the Tindouf camps, while Spanish statistics from 1974 indicated that the population of Western Sahara did not exceed 74,000. Today, with Algeria and the Polisario relying on inaccurate data, they claim that there are 173,000 refugees in Tindouf. However, recent studies suggest that the actual number ranges between 60,000 and 80,000, much lower than the announced figures. The inflated numbers are merely a tool used by Algeria and the Polisario to influence the international community and obtain larger humanitarian aid.

This discrepancy in numbers raises questions about the motives behind these distortions. Despite the urgent need for an independent population census in the camps, Algeria and the Polisario vehemently oppose any attempt to verify these numbers. These obstacles contribute to the continued manipulation of the facts, using them to further the political agendas of the Polisario in forums like the United Nations.

Moreover, the humanitarian aid provided to refugees, intended to alleviate their suffering, is often exploited for political purposes. International reports reveal that a significant portion of this aid is used for the benefit of the Polisario Front, while much of it fails to reach the actual beneficiaries. These practices raise concerns about the integrity of aid distribution and its impact on resolving the humanitarian crisis.

The truth is that inflated numbers cannot be separated from the ongoing political conflict in Western Sahara. These numbers, manipulated according to the political interests of the Polisario and Algeria, contribute to fueling the conflict rather than resolving it. Therefore, the solution lies in transparency and credibility, through conducting an independent census and launching a transparent investigation process to reveal the true situation of the camp inhabitants.

It is crucial that the international community be fully aware of these facts and work to pressure for justice and the provision of humanitarian aid in an honest manner. Manipulating the numbers no longer serves the cause of the Sahrawi refugees; rather, it stands as an obstacle to finding a real and sustainable solution to this complex crisis.