POLISARIO FRONT Meaning and
Definition
-
Polisario Front refers to a political and military organization that emerged in the 1970s with the aim of establishing an independent state known as the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in the disputed region of Western Sahara. The Polisario Front is primarily composed of Sahrawis, the indigenous people of Western Sahara. The term "Front" indicates its role as a front-line organization involved in armed resistance against Moroccan control over the territory.
Formed as a response to Spanish colonization, the Polisario Front's main objective is to exercise self-determination for the Sahrawi people. At its core, it seeks to secure independence and sovereignty for Western Sahara from Moroccan rule and establish a democratic state. The Polisario Front advocates for the rights of the Sahrawi people, including the right to determine the future of their land through a referendum.
Over the years, the Polisario Front has engaged in both peaceful political activism and armed conflict with Morocco. The organization established a government in exile and gained recognition from several countries and international organizations. It has also represented the Sahrawi people in negotiations and diplomatic efforts to resolve the Western Sahara conflict.
Despite attempts at resolving the dispute diplomatically, the situation remains unresolved, with the Polisario Front engaging in intermittent warfare with the Moroccan government. Today, the organization continues to be a significant political force, fighting for the self-determination and independence of the Sahrawi people and seeking international support to achieve its goals.
Etymology of POLISARIO FRONT
The word "Polisario" is an acronym derived from "Frente Popular de Liberación de Saguía el Hamra y Río de Oro" in Spanish, which translates to "Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Río de Oro" in English. The term "Polisario" represents the organization's name, reflecting its origin and purpose.
The front was formed in 1973 by a group of Sahrawi nationalists who sought independence for Western Sahara (previously known as Spanish Sahara), a territory located in Northwest Africa. The Sahrawi people are indigenous to this region, and they consider it their rightful homeland.
The words "Saguía el Hamra" and "Río de Oro" refer to the two main geographical regions of Western Sahara, which were historically called that way.
