AGP Executive Report

Sahrawi Documentary Spotlight: At Zurich Film Festival, Greta Thunberg praised Patrick Wally’s My Homeland… Where the Wind and Sand Are, about activist Najla Mohamed Lamin, and urged people with influence to take concrete action for the Sahrawi cause. Thunberg also accused Morocco of sabotaging a festival discussion after only 40 of 300 ticket-holders showed up; organizers said they could not confirm whether the empty seats were deliberate. Filming Dispute: The controversy also reaches Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey: FiSahara has called on the production to stop filming in Western Sahara, saying the location risks contributing to repression of Sahrawis.

Spain–Sahara Legal Fallout: Spain’s snap election (Nov 29) has killed a bill that would have let Sahrawis born under Spanish administration claim nationality, leaving the issue to the PP’s Senate push and a possible “real decree” route. UN Process & Self-Determination: Polisario’s UN representative Sidi Mohamed Omar rejected any “half-solutions,” saying talks must protect Sahrawi self-determination as the Security Council prepares fresh briefings. Algeria’s Position: Tebboune reiterated Algeria backs Sahrawis’ choices and criticized claims that UN texts exclude Algeria, while also reaffirming support for negotiations that fit UN frameworks. Surveillance & Rights: Amnesty reports Morocco’s long-running spyware and smear campaigns targeting Sahrawi activists and civil society, warning of a chilling effect reaching families and networks. Arts & Activism in Zurich: Greta Thunberg backed a Western Sahara documentary at the Zurich Film Festival, calling out “hypocrisy” and urging concrete action; the event reportedly drew far fewer attendees than expected. Diplomacy Watch: The US UN envoy Mike Waltz met Polisario figures, stressing refugees in Tindouf “have waited 50 years.”

UN Diplomacy & Western Sahara: The Polisario’s UN representative, Sidi Mohamed Omar, reiterated a hard line against “half-solutions,” ahead of fresh Security Council briefings on MINURSO and the UN process. Security Council Context: A new look at what changed since Resolution 2797 puts Morocco’s autonomy plan and self-determination language back in focus as the Sahara file heads to the Council again in October. Regional Backing: The UAE reaffirmed support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative under Moroccan sovereignty, including a long-running alignment that even reached Laayoune with a consulate opening. Algeria’s Position: Abdelmadjid Tebboune again framed Algeria as backing Sahrawi self-determination while dismissing “more Sahrawi than the Sahrawis” claims, even as his remarks drew criticism for contradicting Resolution 2797. Human Rights & Surveillance: Amnesty reports Morocco’s spyware system targeting Sahrawi activists and civil society, linking surveillance to smear campaigns and judicial harassment. Film & Activism: At the Zurich Film Festival, Greta Thunberg backed the premiere of “My Home of Wind and Sand,” spotlighting Sahrawi activist Najla Mohamed Lamin and calling out international “hypocrisy.” Politics in Spain: Spain’s Senate advanced a Sahrawi nationality bill but narrowed it to a two-year residence requirement, keeping the debate tied to Western Sahara’s legacy.

UN Diplomacy: The Polisario Front’s UN representative, Sidi Mohamed Omar, reiterated a hard line against “half-solutions,” saying the Sahrawi people must decide their future, as the Security Council prepares fresh briefings on MINURSO and the UN process. International Pressure: US envoy Mike Waltz met Polisario figures at the UN, stressing Sahrawi refugees “have waited 50 years” and need real alternatives. Morocco Surveillance & Repression: Amnesty says Morocco’s surveillance machine goes beyond digital spying into smear campaigns, harassment and arrests, documenting targeting of Sahrawi activists and civil society. Arts & Activism: At the Zurich Film Festival, Greta Thunberg backed the documentary “My Home of Wind and Sand,” calling out international “hypocrisy” and urging action for Western Sahara; the film follows Sahrawi activist Najla Mohamed Lamin. Politics in Spain: Spain’s Senate advanced a bill tied to Sahrawis’ nationality, but the PP reshaped it into a narrower civil-code reform with a two-year residence requirement. Regional Statements: Algeria’s Tebboune again framed Western Sahara as a matter for Sahrawis alone, while international media spotlighted his remarks ahead of UN Sahara discussions.

Zurich Film Festival Wrap: Pierre Le Gall’s Flesh and Fuel won the Golden Eye for Best Feature, while Pete Muller’s Bucks Harbor took the documentary prize—closing out the 22nd Zurich Film Festival with a strong spotlight on human connection and identity. Western Sahara on Screen: At the same festival, Greta Thunberg backed the Zurich premiere of Patrick Wally’s documentary My Home of Wind and Sand, calling out international “hypocrisy” and urging real action for Sahrawi rights. Rabat’s Silence Watch: A separate report notes Morocco’s lack of response to Spain’s planned King Felipe VI visit to Ceuta and Melilla—contrasting with Rabat’s faster reaction in 2007. Sahrawi Rights Under Pressure: Amnesty International renewed scrutiny of Morocco’s surveillance and smear tactics, including targeting Sahrawi activists, while Sahrawi defender El Ghalia Djimi urged the UN to end selectivity and apply Geneva Conventions in occupied Western Sahara. Diplomacy Signals: Algeria’s Tebboune reiterated support for Sahrawi self-determination, and the US met Polisario figures at the UN, stressing refugees “have waited 50 years.”

Sahrawi Self-Determination: Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune renewed his backing for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination, saying no one can force a decision on them and that any settlement must fit UN frameworks and be acceptable to both sides. Human Rights Under Pressure: Amnesty International released fresh reporting on Morocco’s surveillance machine, alleging spyware, smear campaigns, and judicial harassment targeting human rights defenders and Sahrawi activists, creating a “chilling effect” that reaches families and communities. Film & Activism Spotlight: At the Zurich Film Festival, climate activist Greta Thunberg backed the premiere of Patrick Wally’s documentary My Home of Wind and Sand, urging “concrete action” for Western Sahara; the event also sparked controversy after far fewer attendees showed up than tickets sold. Prisoners’ Urgency: The Sahrawi National Human Rights Commission urged the ICRC to intervene over nine political prisoners on open-ended hunger strike, calling for urgent visits and international access. Diplomacy & Deadlock: The US met with Polisario representatives at the UN, with a message that Sahrawi refugees have waited 50 years and need genuine alternatives, not more delay.

Film & Activism: Greta Thunberg backed the Zurich Film Festival premiere of Patrick Wally’s documentary My Home of Wind and Sand, spotlighting Sahrawi activist Najla Mohamed Lamin and calling out international “hypocrisy” and the need for real action, not applause. Human Rights Under Pressure: Amnesty International released a report alleging Morocco’s surveillance machine—using tools like Pegasus—has targeted human rights defenders, journalists, and Sahrawis, combining spying with smear campaigns and judicial harassment. UN Rights Call: Sahrawi defender El Ghalia Djimi urged the UN Human Rights Council to end selectivity and apply the Durban Declaration and Geneva Conventions in occupied Western Sahara. Prisoner Alarm: The Sahrawi National Human Rights Commission urged the ICRC to intervene over nine Sahrawi political prisoners on open-ended hunger strike. Diplomacy & the Sahara File: The U.S. met with Polisario figures at the UN, while reporting also notes the Moroccan Sahara file is set to return to the UN Security Council in October. Politics & Identity in Spain: Spain’s Senate advanced a bill affecting Sahrawis’ nationality path, reshaping it into a Civil Code reform with a two-year residence requirement.

Surveillance & rights: Amnesty International says Morocco’s surveillance goes beyond digital spying into private-data collection, smear campaigns, and judicial harassment, documenting arrests and restrictions targeting Sahrawi activists and protest organizers in Western Sahara. Film & activism: At the Zurich Film Festival, Greta Thunberg backed the world-premiere documentary My Home of Wind and Sand about Sahrawi activist Najla Mohamed Lamin, calling out international “hypocrisy” and urging real action; Lightdox also acquired world sales rights. Western Sahara at the UN: Sahrawi human rights defender Elghalia Djimi urged the UN Human Rights Council to end selectivity and apply the Durban Declaration and Geneva Conventions in occupied Western Sahara. Prisoners’ health: The Sahrawi National Human Rights Commission urged the ICRC to intervene as nine political prisoners from the Gdeim Izik group reportedly began an open-ended hunger strike. Politics & identity: Spain’s Senate Justice Commission advanced a bill for Spanish nationality for Sahrawis tied to Spanish-era administration, reshaped around a two-year residence requirement. Diplomacy & culture: Morocco’s deepening Israel ties sparked pro-Palestine protests across Moroccan cities, while the Sahara file continues heading back to the UN Security Council in October.

Film & Activism: Greta Thunberg backed the Zurich Film Festival premiere of My Home of Wind and Sand, a documentary on Sahrawi activist Najla Mohamed Lamin, calling out international “hypocrisy” and urging real action for Western Sahara. Arts & Culture Buzz: Organizers said a Thunberg-linked debate drew just 40 attendees instead of 300, with Thunberg blaming Morocco for “silencing” the Sahrawi cause. Human Rights Spotlight: Sahrawi defender El Ghalia Djimi urged the UN Human Rights Council to end selectivity and apply the Durban Declaration and Geneva Conventions in occupied Western Sahara. Digital Rights: Amnesty released reports alleging Morocco’s long-running spyware campaign targeting civil society, including Sahrawi activists, and called for a moratorium on surveillance tech sales. Politics & Law in Spain: Spain’s Senate Justice Commission reshaped a bill on nationality for Sahrawis born under Spanish rule, narrowing it to a Civil Code reform with a two-year residence requirement. Diplomacy Watch: The US UN envoy Mike Waltz met Polisario figures, stressing Sahrawi refugees “have waited 50 years” and deserve genuine alternatives. UN Process Update: A look at what’s changed since the last UN Security Council vote shows Morocco’s autonomy proposal and self-determination language still shaping the stalled talks.

Film & Activism: Greta Thunberg backed the Zurich Film Festival premiere of Patrick Wally’s documentary My Home of Wind and Sand, spotlighting Sahrawi activist Najla Mohamed Lamin and calling out international “hypocrisy” over Western Sahara. Festival Fallout: A ZFF debate tied to the film drew only 40 attendees despite 300 tickets sold, with Thunberg blaming Morocco for “silencing the Sahrawi cause.” Human Rights: Amnesty International released reports detailing Morocco’s spyware and surveillance campaign targeting journalists and Sahrawi activists, while Sahrawi defender El Ghalia Djimi urged the UN Human Rights Council to apply the Durban Declaration and Geneva Conventions in occupied Western Sahara. Prisoners: The Sahrawi National Human Rights Commission urged the ICRC to intervene over nine political prisoners on hunger strike. Diplomacy & Politics: Spain postponed its Algeria summit, and Morocco’s deepening Israel ties sparked pro-Palestine protests across multiple cities. Law & Identity: Spain’s Senate advanced a bill affecting Sahrawis’ nationality pathway, tightening it to a two-year residence requirement. Arts & Culture (Industry): Lightdox acquired world sales rights to the Zurich-premiered documentary.

Spyware & Rights: Amnesty International says Morocco’s DGST and Maroc Telecom ran a large-scale surveillance machine using Pegasus and other spyware to target journalists and Sahrawi activists, allegedly to fabricate charges and silence peaceful activism. UN Human Rights: Sahrawi defender Elghalia Djimi urged the UN Human Rights Council to end “selectivity” and apply the Durban Declaration and Geneva Conventions in occupied Western Sahara, citing settlement policies and racial discrimination. Film & Activism: At the Zurich Film Festival, Greta Thunberg backed the Sahrawi cause and the premiere of “My Home of Wind and Sand,” a documentary on Najla Mohamed Lamin’s peaceful resistance; the event also sparked claims of sabotage after only 40 attended despite 300 tickets sold. Diplomacy & Pressure: The US UN envoy Mike Waltz met Polisario figures in New York, stressing Sahrawi refugees “have waited 50 years.” Prisoners: The Sahrawi National Human Rights Commission urged the ICRC to intervene as nine political prisoners from Gdeim Izik reportedly remain on open-ended hunger strike. Politics in Spain: Spain’s Senate advanced a nationality bill for Sahrawis born under Spanish administration, but narrowed it to a two-year residence requirement.

Surveillance & Civil Society: Amnesty International says Morocco used NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware against civil society from 2017–2021, with targets including activists both at home and abroad, and warns it may have continued later. Film & Activism: At the Zurich Film Festival, climate activist Greta Thunberg backed Sahrawi cause and the premiere of “My Home of Wind and Sand,” spotlighting Najla Mohamed Lamin’s fight for self-determination; the event also sparked claims of “sabotage” after only 40 of 300 ticketed attendees showed up. Politics & Representation: Morocco appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as the country’s first woman prime minister, a major symbolic shift after PAM’s election win. UN & Refugees: The UN refugee chief called the Tindouf camps’ half-century status quo “intolerable,” while the U.S. met Polisario figures at the UN, stressing Sahrawi refugees “deserve genuine alternatives.” Human Rights Pressure: A Sahrawi rights commission urged the ICRC to act over nine political prisoners on hunger strike in Moroccan jails. Spain Nationality Bill: Spain’s Senate advanced a bill for Sahrawis born under Spanish administration, reshaping it into a Civil Code reform with a two-year residence requirement.

Film & Activism in Zurich: Greta Thunberg backed the Sahrawi cause at the Zurich Film Festival, calling out international “hypocrisy” and urging people with platforms to take concrete action. She attended the world premiere of Patrick Wally’s documentary My Home of Wind and Sand, centered on Sahrawi activist Najla Mohamed Lamin, and linked Western Sahara to climate and social justice. Festival Backlash: A ZFF debate featuring Thunberg reportedly drew only 40 attendees despite 300 tickets being sold, with Thunberg blaming Morocco for “silencing” the Sahrawi cause. UN & Diplomacy: The U.S. UN envoy Mike Waltz met a Polisario delegation, stressing Sahrawi refugees in Tindouf have “waited 50 years” and deserve “genuine alternatives.” Sahrawi Rights Pressure: A Sahrawi human rights commission urged the ICRC to intervene over nine political prisoners on open-ended hunger strike in Moroccan prisons. Politics & Identity in Spain: Spain’s Senate advanced a bill tied to nationality for Sahrawis born under Spanish administration, reshaping it into a civil-code reform with a two-year residence requirement. Morocco’s New PM: Morocco appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as the country’s first woman prime minister, a historic shift after PAM’s election win.

Zurich Film Festival Spotlight: Climate activist Greta Thunberg surprised audiences in Zurich with a panel appearance tied to the documentary “My Home of Wind and Sand,” which follows Sahrawi activist Najla Mohamed Lamin and denounces Morocco’s occupation of Western Sahara. U.N. Diplomacy Update: The Moroccan Sahara file is set to return to the UN Security Council in October, after a 2025 resolution elevated Morocco’s autonomy proposal while keeping self-determination language in play. U.S.-Polisario Outreach: U.S. UN envoy Mike Waltz met a high-level Polisario delegation in New York, stressing Sahrawi refugees “have waited 50 years” and calling for genuine alternatives. Spain’s Sahrawi Nationality Push: Spain’s Senate Justice Commission backed a bill for Spanish nationality for Sahrawis tied to Spain-era administration, but narrowed it to a two-year residence requirement. Human Rights Pressure: The Sahrawi Human Rights Commission urged the ICRC to act over nine political prisoners on open-ended hunger strike in Moroccan custody. Pro-Palestine, Anti-Normalisation Protests: Moroccan cities saw demonstrations against Rabat’s deepening Israel ties, with reports of bans, dispersals, and detentions in some areas. Tindouf Camps Under Strain: UNHCR warned that conditions in the Tindouf camps are deteriorating and called the long-standing status quo “intolerable.” Arts & Culture Industry Move: Lightdox acquired world sales rights to “My Home of Wind and Sand” ahead of its Zurich premiere.

Zurich Film Festival Spotlight: Greta Thunberg surprised audiences at the premiere of “My Home of Wind and Sand,” a documentary on Sahrawi activist Najla Mohamed Lamin and Morocco’s occupation of Western Sahara, calling out “betrayal” by both occupiers and the international solidarity movement. Spanish Nationality Push for Sahrawis: Spain’s Senate Justice Commission backed a bill for Spanish nationality for Sahrawis born under Spanish administration, but the PP rewrote it to a Civil Code reform with a two-year residence requirement. Human Rights Pressure: The Sahrawi National Human Rights Commission urged the ICRC to intervene over nine Sahrawi political prisoners from the Gdeim Izik group on open-ended hunger strike. Morocco–Israel Backlash: Pro-Palestine protests spread across Moroccan cities as Rabat deepened Israel ties, with reports of bans, dispersals, and arrests. Tindouf Camps Under Strain: UNHCR warned that conditions in the Tindouf camps are deteriorating and called the long-standing status quo “intolerable.” Local Arts & Culture Angle: Lightdox acquired world sales rights to the Zurich-bound documentary, boosting its global reach.

Film & Culture: Zurich Film Festival is spotlighting Sahrawi activism with the world premiere of My Home of Wind and Sand, a decade-in-the-making documentary on Najla Mohamed Lamin; Greta Thunberg is set to appear for the Western Sahara panel and a post-screening conversation. Human Rights: The Sahrawi National Human Rights Commission urges the ICRC to intervene over nine Gdeim Izik political prisoners on open-ended hunger strike, while Morocco’s prison authority rejects claims linking the strikes to detention conditions. Politics & Representation: Morocco’s pro-Palestine protests spread across cities as Rabat deepens Israel ties, with demonstrators demanding an end to normalization and reporting arrests after a planned Tangier rally was banned. Elections & Power: PAM won Morocco’s legislative vote with 97 seats amid low turnout, setting up coalition talks as the PJD rebounds to lead the opposition. Arts, Media & Visibility: Lightdox acquired world sales rights to the documentary ahead of its Zurich premiere, aiming to broaden global attention to Western Sahara’s lived realities.