The Lights of Smara

A clear night in the liberated zone and the stars as numberless as the grains of sand on the ground.
Staring out into the night I see the lights of Smara glowing in the darkness far away with the luminescence of life of the people that live there.

Families, eating together or sleeping, talking and reading.
I Imagine them, so near to me and yet so far away.
For between us is the Wall that has split our families for 30 years.
The stone and sand, the mines and barbed wire, the soldiers and guns – all reminders of what we’ve lost and how far we are from where we should be.
On nights like this it is the most painful time when you could almost believe that you could walk home out of the desert towards those lights and to the families you’ve left behind.

But it might as well be another world – for all its seeming tangibility it is occupied – waiting to be free.
And so we wait as well, in the liberated zone, in the camps for our return – for our freedom.
We wait to see our families again but all we can see of them now are the lights of Smara.

About the Author

Fred is a Law student at Nottingham University in the UK and he is studying Human Rights. He likes to use poetry to express his feelings about different situations in the world and Western Sahara is one of them. He believes and supports the Saharawi people right to self-determination. He also think that the Saharawi culture should be celebrated and affirmed.

Saharawi Queen


Who is this woman?
Her presence is like the light of the sun,
Her beauty is like the Queen of Sheba,
Her eyes are so deep like the depth of the desert.
Her look is like the vision and admiration she carries for each nation.
Her words are like the lyric of a song or phrases of a poem.
Her arms are refuge for the orphans and help to the widows.
Her hands are those who build the homes that the flood destroyed.
Her heart is an honorable one.
Her heart is a patient one.
Her heart is a joyful one.
Her heart is a faithful one.
Her heart is a kind one.
Her heart is the one you can trust.
Her heart is the blanket of comfort in time of need.
Her character is her strong weapon against any storm.
They call her the Saharawi Queen not only because of her beauty,
But also for her love and passion she has for her people and her nation.

Saharawi child

Saharawi child, take hold of a paper and pencil
and learn literature, math and science.

Saharawi child, sit closely by your elders
and listen carefully to the wisdom; this is the way which in the
future will come to your rescue.

Saharawi child, have your mind open to understanding.
Let wisdom be your best friend.
Let wisdom be your professor.
Let wisdom be your Father your Mother and your Brother.
Let wisdom embrace you; its path will never let you down.

Saharawi child, open your eyes to the world around you;
choose your friends wisely, let every choice be guided
by a good counsellor.

Saharawi child, take advantage of every opportunity
wherever you go, but don’t forgot your principles, language or
culture, or that you are “Saharawi!”

Saharawi child, accept every nation, every race and
every language and the door of blessing will be opened to your
house and to your nation. (Western Sahara)

Saharawi child, don’t be afraid of making mistakes or
be afraid of correction because that is where the lesson is and that is when
you will learn who you are, because you are valuable.

Saharawi child, share your seat with justice and reconciliation that
you may become the turban of peace.

Saharawi child, let the truth be the foundation of your dignity.
It will let your light shine and will build the walls of your generation and your nation.

Saharawi child, be independent!
Be strong
Be humble
Be kind
Be patient
Be honest
Be joyful
Be just
Be trustworthy
Be righteous
Be generous
Be diligent
Be faithful
and the favor of life will always be yours!

Saharawi child, listen, learn, grow, laugh, teach, forgive, love, share, trust, heal, hope, dream, sing and dance; do this and you will never lose your smile.


This Poem is dedicated to all the Saharawi children, especially the children who lost their fathers in the war for the freedom of Western Sahara. Our nation depends on all of you.

Agaila Abba Hemeida
A voice for the Saharawi people