POLISARIO

Quick Facts: Who was POLISARIO?

Subject:

POLISARIO

Known for:

Sahrawi nationalist movement fighting for self-determination and independence from Western Sahara's occupation.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Río de Oro, better known by its acronym Polisario Front, is a Sahrawi nationalist liberation movement seeking to end the occupation of Western Sahara through armed resistance and political advocacy. Tracing its origin to a Sahrawi nationalist organization known as the Movement for the Liberation of Saguia el Hamra and Wadi el Dhahab, the Polisario Front was formally constituted in 1973 with the intention of launching an armed struggle against the Spanish occupation which lasted until 1975, when the Spanish decided to allow Mauritania and Morocco to partition and occupy the territory. The Polisario Front proclaimed the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) on 27 February 1976, and waged a war to drive out the two armies. It forced Mauritania to relinquish its claim over Western Sahara in 1979 and continued its military campaign against Morocco until the 1991 ceasefire, pending the holding of a UN-backed referendum which has been consistently postponed ever since. In 2020 the Polisario Front declared the ceasefire over and resumed the armed conflict.

Career & Major Achievements

The United Nations considers the Polisario Front to be the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people and maintains that the Sahrawis have a right to self-determination. The Polisario Front is outlawed in the parts of Western Sahara under Moroccan occupation, and it is illegal to raise its party flag (often called the Sahrawi flag) there. It is a consultative member of the Socialist International. In 1971 a group of young Sahrawi students in the universities of Morocco began organizing what came to be known as the Embryonic Movement for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro. After attempting in vain to gain backing from several Arab governments, including both Algeria and Morocco, but only drawing faint notices of support from Libya and Mauritania, the movement eventually relocated to Spanish-controlled Spanish Sahara to start an armed rebellion.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The Polisario Front was formally constituted on 10 May 1973 at Ain Bentili by several Sahrawi university students, survivors of the 1968 massacres in Zouérat and Sahrawi veterans of the Spanish Army. They called themselves the Constituent Congress of the Polisario Front. On 1 May 1977, the Polisario Front raided the city of Zouerate, Mauritania, kidnapping six French iron mining technicians and killing two civilians. The Polisario abducted two more civilians in October. They were freed in December.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1971: 1971 Milestone — In 1971 a group of young Sahrawi students in the universities of Morocco began organizing what came to be known as the Embryonic Movement for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro.
2. 1973: 1973 Milestone — Tracing its origin to a Sahrawi nationalist organization known as the Movement for the Liberation of Saguia el Hamra and Wadi el Dhahab, the Polisario Front was formally constituted in 1973 with the intention of launching an armed struggle against the Spanish occupation which lasted until 1975, when the Spanish decided to allow Mauritania and Morocco to partition and occupy the territory.
3. 1976: 1976 Milestone — The Polisario Front proclaimed the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) on 27 February 1976, and waged a war to drive out the two armies.
4. 1977: 1977 Milestone — On 1 May 1977, the Polisario Front raided the city of Zouerate, Mauritania, kidnapping six French iron mining technicians and killing two civilians.
5. 1979: 1979 Milestone — It forced Mauritania to relinquish its claim over Western Sahara in 1979 and continued its military campaign against Morocco until the 1991 ceasefire, pending the holding of a UN-backed referendum which has been consistently postponed ever since.
6. 2020: 2020 Milestone — In 2020 the Polisario Front declared the ceasefire over and resumed the armed conflict.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: POLISARIO

True or False: “The Polisario Front was formally constituted in 1973, predating the Spanish withdrawal from Western Sahara by two years.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The formal constitution date of May 10, 1973, occurred before Spain ceded its control via the Madrid Accords in 1975.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. S. Neill — Historical peer (Died in 1973) (1973): Scottish progressive educator, founder of Summerhill, championing self-governance.
• Abebe Bikila — Historical peer (Died in 1973) (1973): Ethiopian Olympic marathon champion, known for his barefoot victories in Rome and Tokyo.
• 50 Cent — Historical peer (Born in 1975) (1975): Iconic rapper, actor, and entrepreneur known for raw storytelling and business acumen.
• Alex Rodriguez — Historical peer (Born in 1975) (1975): Legendary former MLB star, A-Rod, transitioned into a powerful sports and business mogul.
• A Day at the Races (album) — Historical peer (Born in 1976) (1976): Queen's fifth studio album, a companion piece to A Night at the Opera.
• Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani — Historical peer (Died in 1976) (1976): Bangladeshi statesman and founder of the Awami League, known for advocating for the poor.
• A. P. Elkin — Historical peer (Died in 1979) (1979): Influential Australian anthropologist and Anglican clergyman (1891–1979)
• A. Philip Randolph — Historical peer (Died in 1979) (1979): Pioneer labor unionist and civil rights activist who fought for racial equality.
• Abby Stein — Historical peer (Born in 1991) (1991): Israeli-American author, rabbi, and activist who speaks on faith and gender identity.
• Abhay Jodhpurkar — Historical peer (Born in 1991) (1991): Indian singer known for songs in multiple South Indian languages and Bollywood hits.

Frequently Asked Questions about POLISARIO