After urging French insurer Coface to stop its activities in Western Sahara, and lodging complaints against six French companies, the Polisario slams the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CFCIM) for hosting an event in the province. On Wednesday, the Western Sahara Resources Watch (WSRW) criticized the forum, organized on the 3rd and 4th of November by CFCIM in Laayoune. The NGO recalled that during the business summit, «CFCIM was actively promoting French business opportunities in the Sahara, putting them at risk of financial and reputational damages». «One could question whether the Chamber of Commerce has the interests of the French companies at heart», said Sylvia Valentin from Western Sahara Resource Watch. «Engaging in business in Western Sahara comes with serious risks, ranging from financial and reputational damages to expensive court proceedings», she added. In September, the Front filed a lawsuit against French firm Chancerelle. A few months ago, the Polisario's lawyer promised to act against European companies operating in the Sahara. More recently, the Front targeted an Irish oil firm. Through the Irish organization GLAN, close to the Polisario, filed a complaint against San Leon Energy for «violating the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises», reported Western Sahara Resources Watch on October the 24th.
