AGP Executive Report

Sahrawi Culture: A forum in Gran Canaria showcased Sahrawi heritage through an anthropology lecture, the book Sahrawi Novel and Stories, and a screening of the documentary Songs of Resistance. Held at the Gran Canaria Island Council, the event explored how Sahrawi artists tell stories of their culture and people’s struggle.

Sahrawi Culture: A forum in Gran Canaria brought Sahrawi heritage and creativity to the fore, with a lecture on Sahrawi society, the presentation of Sahrawi Novel and Stories, and a screening of the documentary Songs of Resistance.

Sahrawi Culture: A forum in Gran Canaria showcased Sahrawi heritage and creative work, with an anthropology lecture, a presentation of Sahrawi Novel and Stories and a screening of the documentary Songs of Resistance. Held at the island council on October 7, the event explored how cultural expression connects with the Sahrawi people’s history and struggle.

Media: Polisario Front representative in Spain Abdallah Al-Arabi met Spanish journalists to discuss coverage of the Sahrawi issue and how to keep it visible in public debate. Culture: A forum in Gran Canaria showcased Sahrawi heritage through an anthropology lecture, a book of Sahrawi novels and stories, and a screening of the documentary Songs of Resistance.

International Cinema: Pierre Le Gall’s Flesh and Fuel, a drama about two truck drivers, won the top feature-film prize at the Zurich Film Festival.

Film: Pierre Le Gall’s Flesh and Fuel, a romance about two long-haul truckers, won the top feature-film prize at the 22nd Zurich Film Festival, along with a CHF 25,000 award.

Sahrawi Film: At the Zurich Film Festival, Greta Thunberg urged concrete support for Sahrawi self-determination after attending the premiere of My Homeland… Where the Wind and Sand Are, a documentary about activist Najla Mohamed Lamin. A festival discussion with Thunberg drew just 40 people despite 300 tickets being reserved; she blamed Morocco for deliberate disruption, though organizers said they could not confirm sabotage.

Sahrawi Cinema: Patrick Wally’s documentary My Homeland… Where the Wind and Sand Are, about activist Najla Mohamed Lamin, premiered at the Zurich Film Festival. Greta Thunberg called the film powerful and urged people with influence to take concrete action in support of the Sahrawi people. Festival Spotlight: A Zurich debate featuring Thunberg drew just 40 attendees despite 300 tickets being reserved. Thunberg blamed Morocco for an alleged effort to silence the Sahrawi cause; festival organizers said they could not confirm whether the empty seats resulted from deliberate sabotage.

Sahrawi Documentary Spotlight: At Zurich Film Festival, Greta Thunberg praised Patrick Wally’s My Homeland… Where the Wind and Sand Are, about activist Najla Mohamed Lamin, and urged people with influence to take concrete action for the Sahrawi cause. Thunberg also accused Morocco of sabotaging a festival discussion after only 40 of 300 ticket-holders showed up; organizers said they could not confirm whether the empty seats were deliberate. Filming Dispute: The controversy also reaches Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey: FiSahara has called on the production to stop filming in Western Sahara, saying the location risks contributing to repression of Sahrawis.

Spain–Sahara Legal Fallout: Spain’s snap election (Nov 29) has killed a bill that would have let Sahrawis born under Spanish administration claim nationality, leaving the issue to the PP’s Senate push and a possible “real decree” route. UN Process & Self-Determination: Polisario’s UN representative Sidi Mohamed Omar rejected any “half-solutions,” saying talks must protect Sahrawi self-determination as the Security Council prepares fresh briefings. Algeria’s Position: Tebboune reiterated Algeria backs Sahrawis’ choices and criticized claims that UN texts exclude Algeria, while also reaffirming support for negotiations that fit UN frameworks. Surveillance & Rights: Amnesty reports Morocco’s long-running spyware and smear campaigns targeting Sahrawi activists and civil society, warning of a chilling effect reaching families and networks. Arts & Activism in Zurich: Greta Thunberg backed a Western Sahara documentary at the Zurich Film Festival, calling out “hypocrisy” and urging concrete action; the event reportedly drew far fewer attendees than expected. Diplomacy Watch: The US UN envoy Mike Waltz met Polisario figures, stressing refugees in Tindouf “have waited 50 years.”

UN Diplomacy & Western Sahara: The Polisario’s UN representative, Sidi Mohamed Omar, reiterated a hard line against “half-solutions,” ahead of fresh Security Council briefings on MINURSO and the UN process. Security Council Context: A new look at what changed since Resolution 2797 puts Morocco’s autonomy plan and self-determination language back in focus as the Sahara file heads to the Council again in October. Regional Backing: The UAE reaffirmed support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative under Moroccan sovereignty, including a long-running alignment that even reached Laayoune with a consulate opening. Algeria’s Position: Abdelmadjid Tebboune again framed Algeria as backing Sahrawi self-determination while dismissing “more Sahrawi than the Sahrawis” claims, even as his remarks drew criticism for contradicting Resolution 2797. Human Rights & Surveillance: Amnesty reports Morocco’s spyware system targeting Sahrawi activists and civil society, linking surveillance to smear campaigns and judicial harassment. Film & Activism: At the Zurich Film Festival, Greta Thunberg backed the premiere of “My Home of Wind and Sand,” spotlighting Sahrawi activist Najla Mohamed Lamin and calling out international “hypocrisy.” Politics in Spain: Spain’s Senate advanced a Sahrawi nationality bill but narrowed it to a two-year residence requirement, keeping the debate tied to Western Sahara’s legacy.

UN Diplomacy: The Polisario Front’s UN representative, Sidi Mohamed Omar, reiterated a hard line against “half-solutions,” saying the Sahrawi people must decide their future, as the Security Council prepares fresh briefings on MINURSO and the UN process. International Pressure: US envoy Mike Waltz met Polisario figures at the UN, stressing Sahrawi refugees “have waited 50 years” and need real alternatives. Morocco Surveillance & Repression: Amnesty says Morocco’s surveillance machine goes beyond digital spying into smear campaigns, harassment and arrests, documenting targeting of Sahrawi activists and civil society. Arts & Activism: At the Zurich Film Festival, Greta Thunberg backed the documentary “My Home of Wind and Sand,” calling out international “hypocrisy” and urging action for Western Sahara; the film follows Sahrawi activist Najla Mohamed Lamin. Politics in Spain: Spain’s Senate advanced a bill tied to Sahrawis’ nationality, but the PP reshaped it into a narrower civil-code reform with a two-year residence requirement. Regional Statements: Algeria’s Tebboune again framed Western Sahara as a matter for Sahrawis alone, while international media spotlighted his remarks ahead of UN Sahara discussions.

Zurich Film Festival Wrap: Pierre Le Gall’s Flesh and Fuel won the Golden Eye for Best Feature, while Pete Muller’s Bucks Harbor took the documentary prize—closing out the 22nd Zurich Film Festival with a strong spotlight on human connection and identity. Western Sahara on Screen: At the same festival, Greta Thunberg backed the Zurich premiere of Patrick Wally’s documentary My Home of Wind and Sand, calling out international “hypocrisy” and urging real action for Sahrawi rights. Rabat’s Silence Watch: A separate report notes Morocco’s lack of response to Spain’s planned King Felipe VI visit to Ceuta and Melilla—contrasting with Rabat’s faster reaction in 2007. Sahrawi Rights Under Pressure: Amnesty International renewed scrutiny of Morocco’s surveillance and smear tactics, including targeting Sahrawi activists, while Sahrawi defender El Ghalia Djimi urged the UN to end selectivity and apply Geneva Conventions in occupied Western Sahara. Diplomacy Signals: Algeria’s Tebboune reiterated support for Sahrawi self-determination, and the US met Polisario figures at the UN, stressing refugees “have waited 50 years.”

Sahrawi Self-Determination: Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune renewed his backing for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination, saying no one can force a decision on them and that any settlement must fit UN frameworks and be acceptable to both sides. Human Rights Under Pressure: Amnesty International released fresh reporting on Morocco’s surveillance machine, alleging spyware, smear campaigns, and judicial harassment targeting human rights defenders and Sahrawi activists, creating a “chilling effect” that reaches families and communities. Film & Activism Spotlight: At the Zurich Film Festival, climate activist Greta Thunberg backed the premiere of Patrick Wally’s documentary My Home of Wind and Sand, urging “concrete action” for Western Sahara; the event also sparked controversy after far fewer attendees showed up than tickets sold. Prisoners’ Urgency: The Sahrawi National Human Rights Commission urged the ICRC to intervene over nine political prisoners on open-ended hunger strike, calling for urgent visits and international access. Diplomacy & Deadlock: The US met with Polisario representatives at the UN, with a message that Sahrawi refugees have waited 50 years and need genuine alternatives, not more delay.

Film & Activism: Greta Thunberg backed the Zurich Film Festival premiere of Patrick Wally’s documentary My Home of Wind and Sand, spotlighting Sahrawi activist Najla Mohamed Lamin and calling out international “hypocrisy” and the need for real action, not applause. Human Rights Under Pressure: Amnesty International released a report alleging Morocco’s surveillance machine—using tools like Pegasus—has targeted human rights defenders, journalists, and Sahrawis, combining spying with smear campaigns and judicial harassment. UN Rights Call: Sahrawi defender El Ghalia Djimi urged the UN Human Rights Council to end selectivity and apply the Durban Declaration and Geneva Conventions in occupied Western Sahara. Prisoner Alarm: The Sahrawi National Human Rights Commission urged the ICRC to intervene over nine Sahrawi political prisoners on open-ended hunger strike. Diplomacy & the Sahara File: The U.S. met with Polisario figures at the UN, while reporting also notes the Moroccan Sahara file is set to return to the UN Security Council in October. Politics & Identity in Spain: Spain’s Senate advanced a bill affecting Sahrawis’ nationality path, reshaping it into a Civil Code reform with a two-year residence requirement.

Surveillance & rights: Amnesty International says Morocco’s surveillance goes beyond digital spying into private-data collection, smear campaigns, and judicial harassment, documenting arrests and restrictions targeting Sahrawi activists and protest organizers in Western Sahara. Film & activism: At the Zurich Film Festival, Greta Thunberg backed the world-premiere documentary My Home of Wind and Sand about Sahrawi activist Najla Mohamed Lamin, calling out international “hypocrisy” and urging real action; Lightdox also acquired world sales rights. Western Sahara at the UN: Sahrawi human rights defender Elghalia Djimi urged the UN Human Rights Council to end selectivity and apply the Durban Declaration and Geneva Conventions in occupied Western Sahara. Prisoners’ health: The Sahrawi National Human Rights Commission urged the ICRC to intervene as nine political prisoners from the Gdeim Izik group reportedly began an open-ended hunger strike. Politics & identity: Spain’s Senate Justice Commission advanced a bill for Spanish nationality for Sahrawis tied to Spanish-era administration, reshaped around a two-year residence requirement. Diplomacy & culture: Morocco’s deepening Israel ties sparked pro-Palestine protests across Moroccan cities, while the Sahara file continues heading back to the UN Security Council in October.