Following recent reports of the opening of VFS-Global’s “temporary branch” in the Algerian city of Tindouf, Italy on Monday denied that it had changed its position and now supports Morocco’s Autonomy plan proposal for the Western Sahara.

Italian embassy in Rabat underlined its appreciation for Morocco’s serious and reliable efforts to resolve the Western Sahara issue in reaction to Algerian media’s celebration of “a diplomatic victory” for the separatist Polisario front.

Specifically, Italy “confirms its position, as expressed in the Declaration on the Multidimensional Strategic Partnership, signed on November 1, 2019 in Rabat, reaffirming the full Italian support to the UN Secretary-General’s efforts to pursue the political process, in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council.”

The Italian embassy further explained that “this decision aims to improve and simplify the filing of visa applications, as similar temporary offices will be opened in the upcoming weeks in other cities in Algeria.”

The Italian government’s stance on the Sahara issue is unrelated to this administrative endeavor, according to an embassy statement.

Italy applauds Morocco’s serious and credible efforts in this area, the statement continued, and encourages all parties to uphold their commitment in a spirit of reality and compromise.

Last week, the pop-up office in Tindouf was opened by VFS-Global, a private firm that provides outsourcing and technology services to governments and diplomatic missions around the world. This action drew vehement criticism in Morocco.

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At the headquarters of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Morocco in Brussels, an exhibition entitled “Moroccan women in Belgium are in solidarity with the Tindouf camp detainees” is currently taking place on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

The activities of this exhibition, which will be held from 8th to 12th March, were inaugurated by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Belgium and Luxembourg, Mohamed Ameur, along with the Consul General of Morocco in Brussels, Abderrahmane Fyad.

Visitors to this event, which is part of the cultural activities organized by the consulate for the benefit of the Moroccan community residing in Brussels, in coordination with civil society activities, will be able to grasp the rich cultural heritage of our southern provinces through a “desert tent” pitched at the consulate’s headquarters.

The exhibition organized in partnership with “My Mother” and “World of Humanity” (Monde de L’Humanité) associations, which are mainly invested in cultural and social fields, is an occasion to shed light on Sahrawi women detained in Tindouf camps, and who are suffering from the violation of their various basic rights.

On this occasion, two testimonies were presented by two female human rights activists, namely Al-Saadani Maa Al-Ainain, member of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs, and Aicha Douihi, head of the Sahara Observatory for Peace, Democracy and Human Rights, where they shed light on some manifestations of the bitter suffering endured by Moroccan Sahrawi women detained in these camps.

This exhibition is an opportunity for Moroccan citizens residing in Belgium to express not only their solidarity and steadfast support for the liberation of women and children detained in the camps of Tindouf, but also to reveal the squalid conditions of life in these camps and denounce the horrific situation prevailing in them.

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According to “Atalayar”, a Spanish magazine specialized in Maghreb affairs, terrorist groups that are active in the Sahel recrui young people from Tindouf camps.

“Every day, more and more Sahrawis are recruited by terrorist groups operating in the Sahel, which increases the security risk and stability of the region”, affirms Javier Fernandez Arribas, Atalayr’s director.

The article also mentions the “discontent” of thousands of Sahrawis who have lived in poor conditions in Tindouf camps for many years, while their “leaders live comfortably”.

Faced with this situation, Morocco “has won the diplomatic battle over the land” thanks to the decision made by several countries to open consulates general in the southern provinces of Morocco, notably in Laâyoune and Dakhla as a sign of support for Morocco over the case of the Moroccan Sahara. Observed Mr.Arribas.

The opening of these diplomatic representations is considered “a real and tangible support” for Morocco’s position, continues the author of the article, specifying that “Moroccan diplomacy is working hard to find a definitive political solution” to the Sahara issue.

In recent years, Morocco has been able to take several steps to strengthen its position through the return to the African Union (AU) as well as the “strengthening of its political, economic, commercial and social leadership in Africa” and “the significant improvement” of its relations with the great powers such as the United States, China, and Russia, indicates the Spanish magazine.

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