Gonfreville-l’Orcher (France) – August 22, 2025 (SPS) – A delegation from the Daira of Jreifiya, from the Sahrawi refugee camps, is conducting a working and friendship visit to the French city of Gonfreville-l’Orcher, marking a new step in the exemplary twinning that has united the two municipalities for over 31 years.
The Sahrawi delegation, led by the Mayor of the Daira of Jreifiya, Mr. Salamou Malou, includes Ms. Maainafiha, a member of the municipal council and president of the cooperation committee with Gonfreville, as well as Ms. Salka Zeide, a member of the municipal council and the cooperation committee.
During this visit, two official receptions were held. The first, at the Gonfreville town hall, was marked by the raising of the Sahrawi national flag in honor of the delegation, in the presence of several elected officials, members of the twinning committee, and local press.
In his speech, the Mayor of Gonfreville-l’Orcher, Mr. Alban Brenu, welcomed the Sahrawi delegation and recalled the history of the twinning with Jreifiya, reaffirming his city’s unwavering support for the just struggle of the Sahrawi people. He mentioned the visit he led last year to the refugee camps to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the twinning, as well as the regular hosting of Sahrawi children by families from Gonfreville.
For his part, the Mayor of Jreifiya, Mr. Salamou Malou, expressed the gratitude of his fellow citizens for this constant friendship and solidarity, emphasizing that this support is for the entire Sahrawi people in their struggle for freedom and independence. He reaffirmed the hope of one day reuniting in a free Jreifiya, within an independent Western Sahara.
A message from the Representative of the Polisario Front in France, Mr. Mohamed Ali Zerouali, was also conveyed to the participants. In his written address, he commended the steadfast commitment of the city of Gonfreville to the Sahrawi cause, highlighting in particular the hosting of Sahrawi children, humanitarian projects, and the consistent role of the former mayor and current deputy, Jean-Paul Lecoq, in defending the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination.
The ceremony concluded with an exchange of symbolic gifts. The second reception, with the participation of Sahrawi children and their host families, highlighted the human and fraternal dimension of this partnership.
In addition to official meetings, the Sahrawi delegation visited several municipal facilities in Gonfreville-l’Orcher and is set to continue its program with a visit to the neighboring city of Le Havre.
