Washington – Day after day, the international community realizes that the polisario is not only a stumbling block to the settlement of the over three-decade Sahara issue, but it is also a source of security threats in the region as the kidnapping of the three European aid workers in the Tindouf camps further confirmed the links between the separatists and Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
Roger Pena, U.S. expert in defence issues and international relations, told a conference, held on Wednesday by the U.S. think tank Atlantic Council, that the abduction of the three westerners requires an investigation to lay bare links between Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and elements of the polisario.
“It is alleged that elements of the polisario supplied the kidnappers with weapons and directed them to the victims (aid workers),” said Pena, also Senior Legislative Assistant of US democratic senator Kay Hagan, at the same meeting that discussed “The impact of Gaddafi’s fall on security in the Maghreb and the Sahel.”
Edward Gabriel, former U.S. ambassador, agreed with Pena’s analysis of the situation, accusing elements of the polisario of the kidnapping as they facilitated the abduction by providing weapons, logistical support and the passage through the checkpoints to the AQIM commando behind the operation.
While Pena saw “no surprise” in “the efforts of AQIM to extend ties with the polisario,” as this fall in line with the tactics and recent procedures of the franchise of the Al-Qaeda in North Africa, Gabriel warned that the collusion between some members of the polisario and the AQIM, drug cartels in Latin America and arms traffickers undermines the security and the stability of the entire region.
This led Gabriel, and the participants to the meeting, to reaffirm that the abduction proves that finding a lasting settlement to the regional conflict over the Sahara is “urgent.”
For Gabriel, the solution to the Sahara issue is through the application of the Moroccan autonomy plan supported by the U.S. administration and the majority of the Congress members.
