Laayoune Between the Hammer of Corruption and the Anvil of Marginalization: A Voice from the Heart of the Sahara
Hamdi Ould Errachid: He has held the position of President of the Laâyoune City Council since 2009 and is a member of the Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra Regional Council.
Sidi Mohamed Ould Errachid: He has served as the First Vice-President of the Laâyoune City Council since 2015 and is a member of the Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra Regional Council.
Khalihenna Ould Errachid: He served as the President of the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Istiqlal Party, as well as the coordinator of the southern regions.
Sidi Mohamed Ould Errachid: He assumed the role of President of the House of Councillors in the second half of the legislative term, having been elected in October 2024..
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Laayoune, A City Under Economic Siege
As a Sahrawi living in this relentless nightmare, I find myself bearing witness to the painful reality that has taken hold in the city of Laayoune. Once a symbol of hope and resilience, Laayoune has become a stage for systematic corruption and exploitation orchestrated by Hamdi Ould Errachid, the mayor of Laayoune.
Land for Profit Policy
Hamdi Ould Errachid has turned the city’s land into a commodity sold to the highest bidder, granting plots at exorbitant prices to his inner circle. To facilitate this organized looting, he establishes markets near vacant lands, forcing fruit and vegetable vendors to abandon their central city locations. His objective is not to support the markets but to secure profitable land sales. Once the land is sold, these markets are abandoned, leaving behind economic ruins, only for a new market to be built, perpetuating a vicious cycle of greed and exploitation.
Corporate Extortion and Forced Investment
The corruption doesn’t stop at land sales. Every company operating in the Saharan territories is forced to pay exorbitant fees to this ruling cartel. Prominent companies like CTM and Supratour have been coerced into compliance. For instance, a bus terminal was constructed under his supervision, and students were barred from using state-provided travel vouchers, compelling them to purchase tickets through his system at inflated prices.
Arbitrary Taxes and Exploitative Policies
Local shop owners have not been spared from his oppressive tactics. They are forced to install advertising boards and pay baseless taxes, driving many to the brink of closure. These policies have plunged the city into severe economic stagnation, leaving small businesses struggling for survival.
Sham Elections and Citizens’ Voices for Sale
The corruption reached its peak in the last elections, where votes were openly purchased under the watchful eye of Moroccan authorities, with prices reaching 800 Moroccan dirhams per vote. The electoral process has become a farcical show, masterfully manipulated by Ould Errachid to maintain his iron grip on the city.
Alarming Unemployment and Hopeless Youth
Unemployment has reached critical levels, a direct consequence of these oppressive policies that stifle any opportunity for genuine development or investment. The Sahara’s resources are plundered, divided between the monarchy and Ould Errachid’s family, leaving the Sahrawi population to survive on scraps.
The Corruption of the Hamdi Ould Rachid Family: Plundering Wealth and Marginalizing the Sahrawi People
For decades, Western Sahara has been a hotbed of political and economic conflict, with the struggle for freedom and independence remaining at the heart of the region. However, amid this ongoing battle, certain families have capitalized on their power to further their personal interests at the expense of the Sahrawi people. The Hamdi Ould Rachid family, which controls many political and administrative positions in the Sahara, stands as a prime example of this corruption that exacerbates the suffering of the Sahrawi people and undermines their aspirations for liberation and independence.
Unlawful Practices Against Workers:
One of the most dangerous practices carried out by companies owned by the Hamdi Ould Rachid family is the violation of workers’ rights. Multiple reports and testimonies indicate that these companies use coercive methods against their workers, subjecting them to humiliation, exploitation, and denial of their basic rights. While various sectors worldwide strive to improve working conditions, this family continues to violate labor laws, deepening social tensions in the region and increasing the suffering of Sahrawis who live under difficult economic conditions.
Political Exploitation to Enhance Personal Influence:
The Hamdi Ould Rachid family does not only dominate the economy, but it also exerts substantial political control. The family holds significant positions such as the president of the Laayoune municipal council and the president of the House of Councillors. Through these positions, they can further their personal interests by making political and administrative decisions that serve their own needs, without considering the public interest. This deepens the divide between the authorities and the Sahrawi people, generating feelings of marginalization and exclusion among the local population.
Control Over Economic Projects:
A prominent example of the corruption within the Hamdi Ould Rachid family is their directing major economic projects to companies owned by family members or close relatives. This practice raises significant questions about the transparency of these operations and the extent to which the local community benefits from them. While these projects should ideally benefit the Sahrawi people, local small businesses are sidelined and denied the opportunity to thrive. This marginalization exacerbates unemployment among the local population and worsens their economic hardships, thereby hindering any meaningful progress or development in the region.
Corruption Preventing Sustainable Development:
The Hamdi Ould Rachid family’s control over the region’s resources extends beyond economics, influencing every aspect of daily life in Western Sahara. Due to the rampant corruption, any potential development plans or projects aimed at improving living conditions for the Sahrawi people are obstructed. Despite the vast natural resources in Western Sahara, these resources are plundered by a select few ruling families, leaving the people deprived of the benefits they should rightfully enjoy.
Our Struggle for Independence and Justice:
What is happening in Western Sahara today is a direct result of Moroccan domination, supported by ruling families like the Hamdi Ould Rachid family. As Sahrawis, we believe that the struggle for independence is not just a political fight but a fight for our dignity and our rights. We must raise our voices against these corrupt practices that seek to strengthen personal power at the expense of the Sahrawi people.
We believe that the only solution to the issues plaguing Western Sahara is to grant the Sahrawi people their right to self-determination. We want a country free from corruption and injustice, a country where every individual enjoys equal rights and opportunities. The independence of Western Sahara is the only way to guarantee justice and equality for all Sahrawis, and to put an end to the exploitation of the region’s wealth for the benefit of a few select families.
As Sahrawi activists, we will continue to fight and will not allow these corrupt practices to go unpunished. We will keep striving for freedom and justice, and we will not stop until the complete independence of our people in Western Sahara is achieved.
Silencing the Free Voice
Any attempt to expose this reality or oppose these policies is met with suppression and fabricated charges, ranging from drug trafficking accusations to outright threats of arrest. Speaking out about our rights has become a perilous act that endangers the lives of Sahrawi activists.
A Cry from the Nightmare
What is happening in Laayoune is not just corruption; it is the systematic destruction of an entire people. I call on everyone who reads these words to share this truth with the world. We are living a continuous nightmare, and our resistance is not just a choice but a duty to ourselves and future generations.
We will not remain silent. We will continue to fight despite all the threats. Our voice will remain loud until we achieve justice and freedom for our people.
