On April 20, 2026, a conference in Madrid featuring Mustafa Salma Ould Sidi Mouloud, a former high-ranking member of the Polisario Front, was disrupted by pro-Polisario protesters. The event, organized by the Sahrawi Association for the Defence of Human Rights (ASADEDH), was held at the Hotel NH Madrid Ventas.
According to Spanish media and police reports, a group of approximately 30 demonstrators gathered outside the venue, shouting slogans and attempting to block access. The protest remained largely peaceful, though it caused significant disruption to the event's proceedings. Spanish national police were present to manage the situation.
Mustafa Salma, a former Polisario security official and spokesperson, has become a vocal critic of the movement's leadership in recent years. He advocates for a political solution to the Western Sahara conflict within the framework of Moroccan autonomy, a stance that directly opposes the Polisario Front's goal of independence.
The incident underscores ongoing internal divisions within the Sahrawi nationalist movement. It also reflects the continued sensitivity in Spain regarding the Western Sahara issue, a former Spanish colony, where Spain maintains a neutral diplomatic position supporting UN-led efforts for a mutually acceptable political solution.
