Najla Mohamed-Lamin (Arabic: نجلاء Ù…Øمد الأمين; born 1989) is a prominent Sahrawi human rights activist, educator, and environmental advocate. Her life and work are deeply rooted in the struggle for self-determination, women's empowerment, and environmental sustainability in Western Sahara, a region often described as "Africa's last colony." Through her activism, leadership, and establishment of the Almasar Library Centre, Mohamed-Lamin has emerged as a vital voice for the Sahrawi people, particularly women and children living in refugee camps. Her efforts have garnered international recognition, including her inclusion in the BBC's 100 Women list in 2023.
Early Life and Background
Najla Mohamed-Lamin was born in 1989 in Smara, one of the largest Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf Province, Algeria. Her family originally hailed from Al Mahbes, a town in Western Sahara, but was forced to flee during the Western Sahara War in 1975. This conflict erupted between the Polisario Front, a Sahrawi nationalist movement seeking independence, and the Royal Moroccan Army, which annexed the territory following Spain's withdrawal. Many of Mohamed-Lamin's relatives were members of the Polisario Front, embedding her early life in the political and social struggles of her people.
Education and Political Awakening
Growing up in Smara, Mohamed-Lamin was one of twelve children in a family that endured the hardships of refugee life. Despite these challenges, she demonstrated a keen interest in education and activism from a young age. She attended school in Smara but was forced to drop out at 14 when her mother fell ill, requiring her to take on familial responsibilities.
Mohamed-Lamin is multilingual, speaking Arabic as her native language and learning Spanish due to Western Sahara's colonial history under Spain. At 17, she seized the opportunity to learn English when the Essalam English Centre opened in Smara. Her proficiency in English and Spanish enabled her to work as an interpreter for international delegations visiting the camps, exposing her to global perspectives on human rights and environmental issues.
Founding the Almasar Library Centre
Mohamed-Lamin's determination to pursue education led her to Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, Washington, USA, where she studied sustainable development and women's studies. Her studies were made possible through a fundraiser organized by international delegates who recognized her potential. She graduated in 2018 with an associate of applied science transfer degree, equipping her with the knowledge and skills to address the interconnected challenges of environmental sustainability and gender inequality in her community.
Advocacy for Sahrawi Self-Determination
Her political activism began in her teenage years when she joined the Sahrawi Youth Union, a platform for young Sahrawis to advocate for their rights and self-determination. She represented the organization at international forums, including the Sweden Democrats youth wing's 38th Congress in 2015, where she highlighted the Sahrawi struggle for independence. During her time in the United States, she served as the vice president of the Sahrawi Association of the United States, further amplifying her voice on the global stage.
Women's Role in the Sahrawi Struggle
Upon returning to Smara after her studies, Mohamed-Lamin founded the Almasar Library Centre, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering Sahrawi women and children through education and environmental awareness. The center addresses critical issues such as climate change, water and food insecurity, and early childhood education. It also provides resources for women's health, including breast cancer screenings, and fosters a space for learning and community building.
Through Almasar, Mohamed-Lamin has supported over 200,000 refugees, equipping them with the tools to combat the effects of climate change in the Sahara. Her work underscores the intersectionality of environmental and social justice, emphasizing the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities, particularly women and children.
Recognition and Legacy
Mohamed-Lamin is a vocal advocate for Sahrawi self-determination, criticizing the international community's silence on the Western Sahara conflict. She has drawn attention to the disparity in global attention between the Sahrawi struggle and other conflicts, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In 2020, the 1991 ceasefire between the Polisario Front and Morocco collapsed, reigniting tensions and violence in the region. Mohamed-Lamin's brothers and father joined the Sahrawi People's Liberation Army, and her brother narrowly survived a Moroccan drone attack in November 2022.
Personal Life
She has called on Morocco to honor the 1991 Settlement Plan, which promised a referendum for Sahrawi self-determination. In her writings and public statements, Mohamed-Lamin emphasizes the uniqueness of Sahrawi culture and the community's desire for independence rather than integration with Morocco. She has also criticized countries that trade with Morocco for resources extracted from Western Sahara, such as phosphate rock, urging them to reconsider their economic ties.
Conclusion:-
Najla Mohamed-Lamin highlights the pivotal role of women in the Sahrawi struggle for independence. Since the establishment of refugee camps in 1975, women have been at the forefront of maintaining and organizing these communities. She envisions a future independent Western Sahara where women continue to play leading roles in governance and society, breaking traditional gender barriers and fostering inclusive development.
Final Thoughts
Najla Mohamed-Lamin's contributions have earned her international acclaim. Her articles have been published in prominent outlets such as The National Interest and Stuff, where she articulates the Sahrawi perspective on the conflict and the urgent need for environmental and social justice. In 2023, the BBC named her one of its 100 Women, recognizing her tireless activism for women's rights and environmental sustainability.
As of 2023, Mohamed-Lamin continues to reside in the Smara refugee camp with her children, embodying the resilience and determination of the Sahrawi people. Her life and work serve as a testament to the power of education, activism, and community leadership in the face of adversity.
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