The Polisario Front commemorated the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) with a large-scale military parade last Wednesday in Tindouf, Algeria, reaffirming its decades-long struggle for independence and self-determination in Western Sahara.
The anniversary commemorates February 27, 1976, when the SADR was declared following Spain’s withdrawal from the territory. 50 years on, the Sahrawi leadership says the struggle remains unfinished amid continued Moroccan control and growing international backing for Rabat’s autonomy proposal.
Commemorating the event, Sahrawi President and Polisario Secretary-General Brahim Ghali, affirmed that the Sahrawi people’s exercise of their right to self-determination and independence is the only path to achieving a just and lasting peace.
A declaration rooted in resistance
In a speech delivered earlier in February, on the eve of the anniversary, Ghali framed the occasion as a historic assertion of sovereignty:
“The Sahrawi people will commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, which they declared … as a field embodiment of their sovereign will to live freely and with dignity on their national soil, like all the peoples of the world.”
Ghali linked the founding of the Sahrawi state to a longer trajectory of resistance, stating, “The declaration of the Sahrawi state came as the culmination of a long path of Sahrawi resistance … similar to the Zemla uprising, led by the late Mohamed Sid Ibrahim Bassiri, and ending with the official declaration by … El-Ouali Mustafa Sayed.”
He described the anniversary as a moment of remembrance for those who died in the struggle, “This is an occasion … to stand in remembrance, reverence and appreciation for the souls of all the martyrs of the national cause who sacrificed for the legitimate right of our heroic people to freedom.”
The Sahrawi leader also highlighted the persistence of resistance across different fronts, including in Moroccan-controlled areas and refugee camps.
“We extend our greetings to our people in the occupied territories … resisting with resilience and unwavering resolve despite policies of repression, displacement, confiscation of property, and plunder of resources.”
Despite decades of exile and conflict, he says that the Sahrawi Republic has built functioning institutions and a distinct political system, “These five decades … have forged a unique experience … combining the tasks of liberation and nation-building.”
Read more: Direct from Western Sahara: learn about the struggle of the last colony in Africa
He further stressed that the Sahrawi state has “proved its existence, presence, and continuity” while advancing education, healthcare, and governance structures under difficult conditions.
Continental and international solidarity
On the international front, solidarity messages from African states and liberation movements reinforced the political significance of the anniversary.
South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) described the milestone as part of a broader anti-colonial struggle:
“This milestone is a reaffirmation of a just struggle waged by the Saharawi people against colonial occupation and for their inalienable right to self-determination.”
The ANC reiterated that the issue remains unresolved: “Fifty years on, the continued occupation of Western Sahara … remains a direct affront to international law and the unfinished task of the total decolonization of Africa.”
Invoking the legacy of Oliver Tambo, the statement added: “The struggle of the people of Western Sahara is inseparable from the broader struggle against colonial domination.”
In East Africa, Tanzania reaffirmed its support for the Sahrawi cause, praising “their resilience and perseverance in their pursuit of self-determination” and calling for a solution grounded in international law and dialogue.
Similarly, Navinchandra Ramgoolam of Mauritius described the anniversary as “an important historical event,” extending congratulations and best wishes to the Sahrawi leadership and people.
As the Sahrawi Republic enters its sixth decade, the Polisario Front continues to reject Morocco’s autonomy plan, insisting on a referendum on independence.
“The Sahrawi people will not be a source of danger or threat … but rather will be open and extend a hand of peace and cooperation … [while] defending their rights, freedom, and dignity.”
With all the challenges that the SADR has continued to face under Morocco occupation, the people of the Sahrawi continue to struggle and show resilience in the fight for their recognition and right to self-determination.
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