PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AUSTRALIA WESTERN SAHARA ASSOCIATION, ANU LATIN AMERICAN STUDENTS ASSOCIATION AND ANU LAW REFORM & SOCIAL JUSTICE – FOLLOWED BY A PANEL DISCUSSION

Forty years after its people were promised freedom by departing Spanish rulers, Western Sahara remains Africa’s last colony. While a UN-brokered ceasefire put an end to armed hostilities in the territory in 1991, the Sahrawi people have continued to live under the Moroccan armed forces’ oppressive occupation, and what peace exists in the area is fragile at best. Tens of thousands of Sahrawis have fled to neighbouring Algeria, where over 125,000 refugees still live in camps that were intended to be temporary.

In spite of these difficulties, a new movement, with youth at its centre, is rising to challenge human rights abuses and to demand the long-promised referendum on freedom.

This film chronicles the everyday violence experienced by Sahrawis living under Moroccan occupation and voices the aspirations of a desert people for whom the era of colonialist never ended. It will be followed by a panel discussion examining developments since the film was made in 2015, the nature of Saharawi resistance and why, for generations of Saharawi, colonialism has never ended. Panellists will include:
• Kamal Fadel, Western Sahara Representative to Australia and roving Ambassador to the South Pacific.
• Professor Matt Qvortrup, an expert on referendums, secessionist movements and the creation of states.
• Associate Professor Ntina Tvouvala, whose work focuses on political economy, history and theory of international law.

All attendees are also invited to attend a pre-screening reception at Badger & Co. starting from 6:30 pm on the night.