Army Dreamers

The Norwegian parliament elections were held the same day we left for the camps. For the whole summer I campaigned for my political party, knowing that it was important for the future of my country that the sitting government would be reelected – fortunately it was. Actually the last five years or so of my life has been filled with politics - through my studies, my work and my friends. I have always said that I believe in politics; mainly because politics affect everything in our society like our children, our food, our elderly and the education and even the structures of our relationships.

However, after only a few weeks in the Sahara desert I have realized something that I guess I have known for a long time: politics have not served everyone equally. But few have been betrayed more by politics (or should I say political powerlessness) as the Saharawis. My new friend Mohamed told me that many Saharawis no longer see politics as a solution. They have had enough of talk, plans and promises. Since the ceasefire in 1991, the international society has done nothing for the Saharawis. After 34 years as refugees in the unbearable heat of the Algerian desert, many Saharawis now only see war as a a solution to end these sufferings. ”We have done everything by the book, no terror, no actions of violence since the ceasefire. But this kind of behavior does not turn heads in the UN or the EU. We need to do something. Everyone in the camps feel the same way.”

At this point I do not know what to say. So I try with: ” What about your children – that may be hurt in a war?”. But Mohamed tells me that the children would be safe in Algeria in case of a war. The war would naturally unfold itself by the border of the occupied areas. Before I have the time to say anything Mohamed quickly adds that a war also would ruin the good and peaceful label the Saharawis have obtained over the last couple of decades. This is why he thinks there has not been a war already.

Before we leave each other he tells me “Ohathe” a Saharawee gesture that means something like “end of discussion”. I look at him and answer back “ohathe”.