Run the Sahara in aid of Saharawi refugees
7 December 2011
As the first snowfall of the year flutters over the concrete Glasgow skyline and inevitable annual travel chaos looks set to descend in time for Christmas, the Sahara Desert is just about the farthest place from most of our festively-attuned imaginations.
Yet, thoughts of the Saharan sand dunes may well be in the minds of a small group of intrepid adventurers from different corners of the UK as they brave the biting British breeze to train for Run the Sahara 2012.
Two years ago, I was one of them.
If you have a passion for human rights and the opportunity to raise awareness about a protracted refugee situation whilst partaking of some legendary Saharan hospitality appeals to you, read on. Here is your fast-track to the experience of a lifetime.
Who are the Saharawis?
Who are the ‘Saharawis’, what’s ‘the Polisario’ and ‘Tin-where’ are common responses when I talk about my ‘Running the Sahara’ experience. Never mind the invariably incredulous reaction to the idea that I might choose a refugee camp in the Algerian desert as a winter sun destination, let alone travel there with the intention of running a half marathon across the dunes.
Admittedly, despite having studied some Spanish history, travelled the world a bit and even got myself an MA in Migration Studies, I knew very little about the Saharawi refugees and their plight until recently. What I learnt from Danielle Smith of London-based arts and human rights charity, Sandblast, and Salah Amaidan, Saharawi athlete, activist and friend, I found both shocking and inspiring.
What I learnt was that ever since Spain’s withdrawal from their Saharan colony in 1975, when Morocco marched south and took over the reins, some 200,000 Saharawi refugees have been surviving in a barren, desolate corner of Algerian-donated desert near Tindouf.
Until an UN-brokered peace deal in 1991, the Polisario Front (Saharawi liberation movement) fought to regain sovereignty of their territory, but a bloody guerrilla war was ultimately no match for bigger geo-political forces. The stalemate stands precariously 20 years on. Effectively stateless, separated from home by a 2,500km fortified wall sprinkled with landmines and less-than-friendly Moroccan soldiers; men, women and children are stranded, unable to return, totally dependent on international aid and, basically forgotten by most of the world.
That’s not all. When the refugees fled, thousands of ethnic Saharawi were left behind, unable or unwilling to flee. Outnumbered by Moroccan settlers, forbidden from manifesting their identity and with little freedom of movement or expression, they form an oppressed minority in their own territory.
Morocco’s enforced sovereignty over Western Sahara has not been recognised in international law and is the reason for the Kingdom’s conspicuous absence from the African Union.
Many organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have expressed concern about human rights abuses in Western Sahara, including disappearances, torture, arbitrary imprisonment and lack of freedom of expression.
Raise awareness and support an incredible project
So where does the gaggle of Brits running red-faced in the desert come into the picture? Every year, Sandblast facilitates the opportunity for a group of intrepid Brits to participate in the annual Sahara Marathon (not to be confused with the Marathon des Sables event in Morocco), organised by the refugees and a Spanish-Italian coordinated team of international volunteers.
The fundraising event is an opportunity to put the Saharawi on the map and raise awareness about their predicament, as well as a life-changing opportunity to spend an incredible week hosted by a Saharawi family in the camps. If you take part through Sandblast, all money you raise goes towards its incredible Studio Live project, generating cultural and economic empowerment through music in the refugee camps.
Tempted?
It is not too late to take part in the 2012 trip! Registration deadline is 15 December, with the trip taking place from 24 February to 2 March 2012.
Don’t panic if you’re not a runner, I walked most of it and I wasn’t alone!
Scottish Refugee Council, 7/12/2011
