A Notable Participation in Turkey Redraws the Map of Sahrawi Representation in International Forums
In a scene that could not go unnoticed, the name of the movement “Sahrawis for Peace” (MSP) emerged prominently in the corridors of the Socialist International Women’s Summit hosted in Turkey. With this, the movement announced its formal entry into the sphere of international socialism through the gateway of peaceful political and women’s activism.
This presence was embodied in a women’s delegation led by Maimouna El-Dlimi, President of the Women’s Union of the movement, alongside other activists, who focused their participation on delivering a clear message: the Sahara is not the exclusive domain of the Polisario, and the free voice of Sahrawi women must be heard.
From Observation to Interpretation:
What Does This Political Presence of an Opposition Movement to the Polisario Mean at an International Forum?
The participation of “Sahrawis for Peace” in this summit, after obtaining “observer member” status within the Socialist International in January 2025, cannot be seen as a passing event. Rather, it signals the beginning of a shift in the balance of representational legitimacy concerning the Sahara issue within progressive international organizations.
While the Polisario has for years managed to monopolize Sahrawi representation thanks to international and regional support, the rise of the MSP today raises fundamental questions:
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Is the world beginning to reconsider the “exclusive legitimacy” long claimed by the Polisario?
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Is the door now opening for alternative Sahrawi political currents that believe in dialogue and realistic solutions under Moroccan sovereignty?
Interpreting the Moment:
When Diversity Within the Sahrawi Community Shifts from a ‘Threat’ to an ‘Opportunity’
The statements of Maimouna El-Dlimi regarding the need to end the Polisario’s monopoly over the political scene are not merely opinions; they represent a cultural shift within the Sahrawi environment itself. It is a call to institutionalize pluralism — not only in opinion but also in methods and options.
This prompts further questions:
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Why does the Polisario fear alternative voices?
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Isn’t it time for the Sahrawis — especially those in the Tindouf camps — to be given a real chance to choose their fate freely, instead of remaining hostages to a leadership closed off ideologically and politically?
From Conference Diplomacy to Ground Reality:
How Does Rabat View These Shifts?
From a calm Moroccan strategic perspective, this participation represents a soft victory for smart diplomacy. The political presence of Sahrawi movements advocating for a realistic solution and autonomy weakens the position of Algeria and the Polisario in international forums.
Moreover, MSP’s endorsement of dialogue over arms aligns with Morocco’s vision for a political solution to the Sahara conflict and strengthens its credibility as a responsible regional peace partner.
An Open Question for the International Conscience:
If the Socialist International has opened its doors to “Sahrawis for Peace”, will the United Nations dare to listen to a different Sahrawi voice?
Will the voices from the camps remain monopolized by a leadership that considers every dissenter a “traitor”, or has the era of alternatives begun?
Reflective Conclusion:
The death of the Polisario may not be a physical one, but it is certainly a slow political death, eroded by internal and external diplomatic isolation. Meanwhile, new dynamics are emerging that reflect a will for change within the Sahrawi community — a will grounded in pluralism, openness, and dialogue.
And in a world where the international order is reshuffling its priorities, perhaps the time has come to listen to a voice that does not roar with weapons — but pulses with peace.
