Sahrawi Activist’s Visit Sparks Controversy in French Town Over Western Sahara Dispute

Mantes municipal councilor Aziz Zaitar, in a statement, condemned the "clandestine demonstration of the separatist Sultana Khaya," president of a League for the Defense of Human Rights and against the plunder of natural resources, which allegedly took place in the municipality. This statement was read at the end of the municipal council meeting on September 13, as Mayor Sami Damergy had quickly closed the meeting before the speech of this defender of the Moroccanness of the Sahara, reports Actu.fr.

On her arrival in the Brouets district, rue de Cherbourg (Mantes-la-Ville) on September 8, Sultana Khaya was greeted by a few dozen supporters who notably chanted "Free Sahara". A demonstration that is not to the liking of Aziz Zaitar and several Moroccan associations in the Mantois area. The latter denounced an "unauthorized demonstration".

"Mr. Mayor, in your capacity as a judicial police officer, we ask you to request the competent services to open an investigation into this demonstration so that this kind of incident does not happen again in Mantes-la-Ville," Aziz Zaitar addressed Sami Damergy. For the Mantes elected official, Sultana Khaya "advocates armed action and this constitutes an incitement to terrorist acts".