Specific Features of the Polisario Front as a Non-State Actor

In the article, the author considers the Polisario Front as a national liberation movement aimed at gaining independence for the Sahara Arab Democratic Republic. The work focuses on the internal structure of the movement, which is aligned vertically. Its founders laid the principle of consultation before making fateful decisions and choosing strategic directions. It is noted that the attempt to divide the branches of power within the organization can hardly be called successful, since key powers are still concentrated in the hands of the executive bodies. The military wing of the Polisario Front is represented by a guerrilla army equipped with old Soviet arms and equipment. It is constantly replenished with human resources, and the instructors, as a rule, are the Algerian military. The author seeks to show the main sources of financing the movement. It was revealed that this is not only Algeria's contributions, but also cash receipts from charitable foundations and financial receipts from people loyal to the Polisario Front. The organization also receives a share from the smuggling of drugs, weapons, precious metals in Africa. The study also pays attention to the life of people in the Tindouf camps, where the administrative structure was organized by the Polisario Front. It is noted that the camp economy is focused on survival. In this regard, it is up to men to meet the basic needs of families. Women, thanks to the spread of the idea of feminism in the ranks of the POLISARIO Front, can participate in politics and get a job. A high social position, as a rule, is occupied by representatives of the older generation with higher education. Education is available for children, but many do not conclude their studies in schools, as they must help their parents. In general, despite the lack of implementation of the idea of independence for Western Sahara, the Polisario Front remains an attractive movement for the Sahrawi and has no obvious competitors.

Keywords

Polisario Front, Western Sahara, Tindouf, Algeria, Morocco

Received

29.07.2020

Publication date

29.01.2021

Number of characters

28491

Cite

GOST	Makhmutova M. Specific Features of the Polisario Front as a Non-State Actor // Novaia i noveishaia istoriia – 2021. – Issue 1 C. 149-158 [Electronic resource]. URL: https://nni.jes.su/S013038640009535-6-1 (circulation date: 06.05.2024). DOI: 10.31857/S013038640009535-6
MLA	Makhmutova, Maria I "Specific Features of the Polisario Front as a Non-State Actor." Novaia i noveishaia istoriia 1 (2021):149-158. DOI: 10.31857/S013038640009535-6
APA	Makhmutova M. (2021). Specific Features of the Polisario Front as a Non-State Actor. Novaia i noveishaia istoriia (1), pp.149-158 DOI: 10.31857/S013038640009535-6

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