Political scientist Adalberto Agozino conducted an interview with Hach Ahmed Bericalla, the First Secretary of the Sahrawi Movement for Peace (MSP).
The Sahrawi Movement for Peace (MSP) is a timely, reasonable, realistic, and viable proposal to achieve a dignified solution for the Sahrawi people after half a century of war, suffering, and exile. The movement was born to fill a democratic deficit and the absence of an honest debate within the Polisario Front.
The main short-term goals of the MSP are to contribute to not missing the opportunity presented by the new dynamic in favor of a political settlement. The movement aims to open a parallel path, independent of the timelines and rhythms of the UN negotiation process, which has dragged on since 1991. The medium-term goal is to consolidate the movement's project to be ready for the post-solution phase.
Regarding Morocco's 2007 autonomy proposal, Bericalla stated that their position was expressed at the time: the proposal's content was insufficient, but it could serve as a starting point for seeking a settlement. He emphasized that the party line excludes any options beyond the Moroccan autonomy proposal.
The MSP imagines a brighter future for the Sahara than its past. The movement proposes a political formula with no winners or losers. This is a proposal to be put on the table and even shared with the UN envoy and other parties. In general, it outlines the contours of an agreement on a special statute for the new Sahrawi entity.
In response to a question about a "roadmap," Bericalla noted that the MSP has already presented its own roadmap at the 2023 conference in Dakar. It proposes building no less than 40,000 social housing units and creating 50,000 new jobs. The plan also includes disarmament, reintegration, the return and resettlement of tens of thousands of refugees, a general amnesty, compensation for victims, and social coverage for widows, orphans, and affected families. For this, it even suggests creating an international fund for reconstruction.
As for Morocco's role, Bericalla believes the country must present a new, more expanded, and detailed version of the autonomy proposal, as promised after the last UN Security Council resolution. Regarding Algeria's role, he is in an unenviable position, having to choose between loyalty to sacred solidarity principles or participating in an unstoppable dynamic to maximize gains.
The MSP brings together a heterogeneous group of Sahrawi figures: from former soldiers to descendants of members of the Sahrawi Assembly from the Spanish period, from former Polisario diplomats to survivors of repression in the Tindouf camps. Bericalla sees this as a mosaic that represents the majority opinion in Western Sahara today.
Key achievements of the MSP include overcoming the discredit campaign launched by Polisario and maintaining open communication with the UN envoy and the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres. The movement has also achieved diplomatic progress by joining the Socialist International and participating in its last councils.
When asked about the Polisario Front's reaction to the recent UN resolution, Bericalla expressed confidence that war and permanent exile are the worst options. However, he believes the Polisario leadership lacks the charisma and moral authority to shift to more moderate approaches.
Bericalla is optimistic about the future, believing in the "miracle of peace." He sees the MSP as a Sahrawi voice advocating for peace, a win-win solution, democracy, and pluralism. He considers this the best recipe to escape the vicious circle fed by two irreconcilable stances for decades and to avoid a new collapse of negotiations. He stressed that he does not literally trust the international community but believes in what the Sahrawi people, as victims and main actors, are willing to do for themselves and future generations.