Description
After the complex and far-reaching so-called “Western Sahara War” (1975–1991), a ceasefire agreement was signed in September 1991. It was meant to pave the way for a self-determination referendum for the Sahraoui people, to be organized by the MINURSO mission — a vote that, to this day, has never taken place.
Since 1975, Sahraoui refugees have been living in Algerian territory, mainly in the Tindouf region in the far southwest. Over the years, a status quo settled in: the media stopped covering the situation, and the work of NGOs and associations became almost mechanical. Nothing has truly evolved since 1991. The Sahraoui question stopped being of interest — it simply does not “sell.”
Despite this silence, civil resistance persists. The Algerian state maintains its official position in favor of Sahraoui self-determination, and refugees in Algeria enjoy a certain degree of autonomy. Yet within Algerian society, the conflict remains superficially known. People are aware of it but do not truly understand it.
This has produced what I call a homunculus: a distorted mental image that Algerians collectively hold about Sahraoui life, the conflict, humanitarian aid, freedom of movement, and rights. This image exists somewhere between empathy and indifference, knowledge and misconception.
But reality, as is often – if not always – the case, is different.
Occidental Sahara: Between Homunculus and Reality seeks to confront and question these perceptions, to correct, at least in part, the image we Algerians have of Western Sahara and its people.
Kids playing in a destroyed tank. The RASD army destroyed the tank during confrontations with Moroccan army; its rests lay in Tifariti as a trophy.
Military soldier greeting Algerian visitors in Tifariti’s hospital. Occidental Sahara population consider Algerian population as friends, fellows and furthermore brothers.
Kid’s swing hanging on a tree. Occidental Sahara inhabitants have few occupations. Few infrastructures are available in the liberated territories.
Kids playing football. Occidental Sahara inhabitants have few occupations.
Father Tighicit standing next to tomatoes plantation plastic house. The plantation field is held by 10 workers planting various vegetables during the whole year. Water supplies come from a drill. Some Sahraoui make various plantations in the liberated territories.
Uncle Ahmed standing next to his garden. He has always been a plowman. Some Sahraoui make various plantations in the liberated territories.
Flat tires of a truck. Many destroyed vehicles lay everywhere in the liberated territories. Vehicles are used and repaired if possible. Some parts are available from Mauritania and Algeria. When the vehicle is no more usable it is abandoned.
Abandoned tractor. Many destroyed vehicles lay everywhere in the liberated territories. Vehicles are used and repaired if possible. Some parts are available from Mauritania and Algeria. When the vehicle is no more usable it is abandoned.
Sahraoui militaries. Sahraoui army is generally trained in Algerian bases.
Sahraoui military soldier. Few Sahraoui military soldiers have proper boots. Those are elite forces. Sahraoui army is generally trained in Algerian bases.
4th military division chief. Sahraoui army is generally trained in Algerian bases.
Zarga wearing her white Chach while performing a traditional dance.
Horma making victory sign through the back window. Sahraoui people are patriotic, every inhabitant know patriotic songs and that since a very early age.
Sahraoui man preparing tea. Tea is available everywhere. It preparation in the traditional way is mastered by all the population. Sahraoui people are welcoming and nice. They would share everything with their guests.
Sahraoui man in his tent. Sahraoui people are welcoming and nice. They would share everything with their guests.
Sahraoui woman in her tent. Sahraoui people are welcoming and nice. They would share everything with their guests.
Goat milk. Most of Sahraoui inhabitant have goats and/or camels. Sahraoui people are welcoming and nice. They would share everything with their guests.
Sahraoui man standing next to his goats. Most of Occidental Sahara inhabitant have goats and/or camels.
Shell crater. Many craters lay around in the liberated territories, remnants of Moroccan offensives.
Bullets. Many bullets and shells lay around in the liberated territories, remnants of Moroccan offensives.
Sahraoui man Sitting. Occidental Sahara inhabitants have few occupations. Few infrastructures are available in the liberated territories.
Self-portrait in the shop. Only one shop is open in Tifariti, many items lack. Kids buy sweets and drinks during the school pause.
Mine’s warning. Many places within the liberated territories still count multiple Moroccan mines.
Tifariti’s Doctor Mohammed Fadli. He studied in Spain and came back to his country to serve his community. Sahraoui people are patriotic; many of them have various opportunities but prefer coming back to their country to serve the local community..
Sahraoui Man praying while the sun goes down. Sahraoui people are mainly Muslims practitioners.
Two men speaking while the sun goes down. The desert offers wonderful sunrise and sundown.
Quran learning tables. Sahraoui kids learn Arabic language at the school by learning Quran. Sahraoui people are mainly Muslims practitioners.
Kid in school with UNICEF bag. Many NGOs work about on the Sahraoui question.
Photovoltaic cells charging a car battery. Many inhabitants use the photovoltaic cells, electricity is neither available all the time nor everywhere, car batteries are used for many purposes.
Dr. Saghri, Sahraoui man speaking about his disappeared father. Many Sahraoui people disappeared during the Moroccan invasion.
Photo of Sid Ahmed Saghri a disappeared person. Many Sahraoui people disappeared during the Moroccan invasion.