Polisario Front
Overview
The Polisario Front or Frente Polisario, from the Spanish abbreviation of Frente Popular de Liberación de Saguía el Hamra y Río de Oro, is a Sahrawi rebel national liberation movement aiming to end Moroccan presence in the Western Sahara. It is an observer member of the Socialist International.
History
The Polisario Front was formed in 1973 by a group of Sahrawi students in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh. Their goal was to fight against Spanish colonial rule in the Western Sahara, a territory in North Africa bordered by Morocco to the north, Algeria to the northeast, and Mauritania to the east and south.
Political Ideology
The Polisario Front's political ideology is broadly socialist and nationalist. It was inspired by other anti-colonial liberation movements of the 20th century, particularly those that emerged in Africa during the 1960s and 1970s. The Front's main goal is the establishment of an independent Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in the Western Sahara.
Military Structure
The military structure of the Polisario Front is based on a traditional Sahrawi tribal organization, with a central command and divisions based on regions and tribes. The Front's military arm, the Sahrawi People's Liberation Army (SPLA), has been engaged in a protracted guerrilla warfare against Moroccan forces.
International Relations
The Polisario Front has established relations with numerous countries and international organizations. It is a full member of the African Union and has been recognized by a number of countries as the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people. However, its status and the status of Western Sahara remain contentious issues in international politics.
Current Situation
Today, the Polisario Front continues to advocate for the independence of Western Sahara. It controls a portion of the territory, known as the Free Zone, while the rest is administered by Morocco. The situation remains a major issue in North African politics and a source of tension between Morocco and Algeria, which supports the Polisario Front.