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Brahim GhaliPresident of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic since 12 July 2016
Date of Birth: 19.08.1949
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Content:
- President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
- Founding of the Polisario Front
- Military Career and Political Roles
- - 1976-1989: Minister of Defense of SADR
- Allegations of Rape
- Presidency of SADR
- Legacy
President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
Current President and Leader of the Polisario FrontEarly Life and Career
Brahim Ghali was born on August 19, 1949, in Smara, Spanish Sahara (now the occupied territory of Western Sahara). He joined the "Nomadic Troops" of the Spanish colonial army in the mid-1960s and later held administrative positions in Smara.
Founding of the Polisario Front
Ghali became involved in the anti-colonial movement after meeting Mohamed Bassiri and other Sahrawi patriots. He participated in the El Aaiún demonstration of June 16, 1970, known as the Zemla Intifada, which was violently suppressed by the Spanish Legion. Ghali was arrested and sentenced to one year in prison.
Upon his release in 1971, Ghali joined the Harakat Tahrir movement. He was a co-founder of the Polisario Front, established on May 10, 1973, and its first Secretary General. He led the El Khanga raid, the Polisario Front's first military action against the Spanish army.
Military Career and Political Roles
In 1974, Ghali became Commander of the Sahrawi People's Liberation Army, the military wing of the Polisario Front. After the unilateral proclamation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) on February 27, 1976, Ghali held various leadership roles:
- 1976-1989: Minister of Defense of SADR
- 1989-1993: Commander of the Second Military District- 1993-1998: Minister of Defense of SADR
- 1998-1999: Minister of Occupied Territories
- 1999-2004: Polisario Front representative in Spain
- 2008-2016: Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of SADR to Algeria
Allegations of Rape
In 2013, Ghali was accused of raping Khadiyatou Mahmoudi Mohamed Zeineb. Additionally, the Sahrawi Association for the Defense of Human Rights (ASADEDH) filed a lawsuit against him in Spain for alleged torture.
The lawsuits were initially dismissed, but were revived when Ghali traveled to Spain in 2021. The Audiencia Nacional court summoned Ghali to testify as an accused party on June 1, 2021. Judge Santiago Pedraz determined that the accusers had provided insufficient evidence to support their claims.
Presidency of SADR
Following the death of President Mohamed Abdelaziz in May 2016, Ghali was elected President of SADR and Secretary General of the Polisario Front on July 9, 2016.
Legacy
Brahim Ghali continues to lead the struggle for self-determination and the independence of Western Sahara. He has been a key figure in the Sahrawi national movement for over 50 years.
