Sahrawi activist urges French intervention over Western Sahara dispute

France's Parliament hosted Saturday key activists from the separatist movement of Polisario, a move that strengthened Paris' ambiguous position regarding the Western Sahara dispute.

Over the weekend, Sultana Khaya, a renowned activist for Sahrawis' right to self-determination, and Mohamed Sidati, the representative of the Polisario in France, met with MP Jean-Paul Lecoq from the communist French party at the National Assembly house in Paris.

During her meeting with Lecoq, who is known for his pro-Polisario stands, Khaya tackled the alleged "state of siege, rape and assassination attempts she faced while living in Morocco." 

Amnesty International reported in April that Sultana Khaya and her family have been under a de facto house arrest since November 2020. Moroccan media say Khaya is currently based in Spain.

The rights group also said that security forces surrounding their home have broken into their house on several occasions, physically assaulting and raping Sultana and her sister. 

On 16 March, a group of activists from the United States successfully accessed Sultana Khaya's house but refrained from disclosing details of the visit for security reasons.

Morocco denied Khaya's accusations, saying, "the so-called activist is actually an armed trained Polisario agent."

During her visit to France, the Sahrawi activist also attended the Forum des Associations, a conference organised by the town hall of the 15th arrondissement of Paris to promote militant associations worldwide. 

Khaya devoted her speech in the Forum to "raise awareness on the reality of the daily life of Sahrawis". 

She also called for France's intervention as a "country of human rights".

Neither Moroccan nor French politicians have reacted to Khaya's visit as of yet.

France's official position on Western Sahara is supporting a just, lasting, mutually acceptable political solution per UN Security Council resolutions. 

Paris also considers the Moroccan autonomy plan for the territory "a serious and credible basis" for discussions.

However, Moroccan King announced in August that the sincerity of friendship with Rabat will only be measured with support for Morocco in the Western Sahara dispute.

Experts say the Franco-Morocco ties became "ice-cold" in the last two years, mainly over Paris' silence on the dispute.

France's President Emmanuel Macron is expected to visit Rabat in October. His scheduled trip to Morocco will most likely aim to ease tensions with the kingdom.