Washington – The kidnapping of three European aid workers in the Tindouf camps requires the implementation of an investigation to lay bare links between Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and elements of the polisario, said US expert in defense issues and international relations, Roger Pena.
“It is alleged that elements of the polisario supplied the kidnappers with weapons and directed them to the victims (aid workers),” said Pena, Senior Legislative Assistant of US democratic senator Kay Hagan, at a conference, held on Wednesday by the US think tank Atlantic Council under the theme: “The impact of Gaddafi’s fall on security in the Maghreb and the Sahel.”
She added that “the efforts of AQIM to extend ties with the polisario comes as no surprise,” as this fall in line with the tactics and recent procedures of the franchise of the Al-Qaeda in North Africa, which has a history of “outsourcing” abduction operations in order to swell its coffers.
The US expert also mentioned the abject living conditions suffered by the detained populations in the Tindouf camps where desperate and frustrated youths are easy prey for AQIM experienced recruiters.
