The Sahrawis, who arrived in three groups to El Karkrat, fled the Tindouf Camps (southwestern Algeria) where thousands of Moroccan-Sahara natives are held against their will by the Algerian-backed separatist movement Polisario.

    Among those who returned are several Sahrawis who participated in the Gjijimat meeting, held in mid December to voice adherence to Morocco's autonomy proposal aimed at solving the three-decade long conflict over Morocco's Southern Provinces (The Sahara) with the Polisario. The meeting was held at the same time as the so-called 12th Congress of Polisario leadership in the buffer zone of Tifariti. 

    During this meeting, held under the sign "Autonomy as a Final Solution to Achieve Reconciliation and Dignified Return to the Homeland", the organizers spoke up for the plan, which Morocco proposes to grant substantial autonomy to the Sahara under its sovereignty.

    Sahrawi sources said that other families are preparing to return to Morocco in the coming days.

    Upon arrival, some of the Sahrawis described the dire conditions in these camps, stressing that most of their brethrens wait for the first opportunity to come back to Morocco.

    They also called for lifting the blockade imposed on their relatives and called on all Sahrawis to return home to enjoy dignified, united and stable life in Morocco.       

    A former Spanish colony, the Sahara was retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid Accord. A year later, the Polisario claimed the separation of the territory from Morocco, and lured thousands of Moroccans into joining it in Tindouf where they are still held against their will.