13th Congress Polisario Frente
Dette bildet er fra kongressen 2008. Foto: Polisario Congress , via humanrightshouse.org.
We were lucky enough to participate at the 13th Polisario Congress in the liberated area. My first thought was “Fantastic! Finally we will see Polisario’s political measures!” My second thought was that it might be because the security measures for foreigners after the kidnapping is easier during he Congress, both because it is a great excuse to engage more restrictions and also gather all foreigners where the military is concentrated.
We were brought to Tiferiti the city of the Congress, by caravan in a group of 10 cars driving together through the desert. We managed to arrive just before dark, where we were lodged in houses. This was a great disappointment after meeting Tiferiti with the great view of hundreds of tents that seemed fairytale like.
The opening was planned for the next morning. Being adjusted to the Saharawii way of planing, we were not surprised that no one knew at what time the Congress would open, or had timetables of any kind.
Around noon on the 15th the Congress opened, with touching music from children, the national anthem and an in depth speech from the President Mohamed Abdulazzis. The people in the Congress Hall fills the room with the need of independence that gives me goosebumps. The cries from the crowd, and the sharp noise made from the womens tongues during the speeches is not something you will find in the Storting. This makes for a different temper during the Congress.
After a break with prayer and lunch (and a quick stop at the press room, to use Internet), we go back to the Congress Hall. The official delegations attending the Congress are giving their speeches, some giving more of an impact than others. After a while, cheerful talk appear. People are giving out fruit or caramels, and raising their feet up on the free chairs.
The next days the discussions begin, and the foreigners are given a “touristic” program, like visiting historical sights.
Anne Kristine Giltvedt er tidligere leder for FN-studentene. I dag jobber hun i de saharawiske flyktningeleirene i Algerie, for Polisario og United World College.
