We are so thrilled to announce that London's exclusive dance studio Inspiration 2 Dance has just announced that they'll be dedicating their upcoming fundraiser SUMMER SIZZLE Dance & BBQ Party 2017 next June 24 in London to Sandblast. THANK YOU!!

Our connection with Inspiration 2 Dance comes from our Founding Director Danielle Smith, who's really passionate about dancing and has had a close relationship with the school since late 2015.

Sandblast has decided to pledge all funds raised through the SUMMER SIZZLE Dance to the music and English education project Stave House in the Sahara, which has just finished their very successful second stage with over 25 children passing their certified Stave House Level 1 Music Awards. Congratulations! During its third stage (Sep 2017-May 2018), Sandblast will be the main sponsor of the project, so we need all the help we can get to make it a reality! For that, we've just set up a new JustGiving fundraising campaign. Check it out!

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Our partner project Stave House in the Sahara has just finished its second stage with a fabulous End Of Year Party in which the children have performed a few songs and had some sweet treats to celebrate a very successful year. Over 25 students have recently passed their Stave House Level 1 Music Awards, which will be fully certified by the London College of Music (University of West London) through Stave House. Congratulations!! How exciting!

Sandblast is now in conversation with Stave House in the Sahara to provide sponsorship for their third stage, which will begin in September 2017. Stay tuned for updates!

​Key Bay case: Polisario Front lodges a complaint with the European and French authorities

​For a strict application of the judgment of 21 December 2016

The Polisario Front is paying close attention to the conditions under which the Key Bay vessel, which has embarked fish oil at ElAaiun, will be obliged to comply with European law, as recalled in the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union on 21 December 2016, which must be fully enforced.

Thanks to the action, on the spot, of Pilar Alvarez, Deputy Mayor of Las Palmas, and Florent Marcellesi, MEP, all information is now available. The Key Bay stopped in Las Palmas (Spain) to fill up fuel, and during this short period of time, the Guardia Civil was able to see the documents allowing transport. It appears that the authorizations were issued at ElAaiun, under Moroccan occupation, which establishes the violation of international law. Indeed, there has been fishing for the Saharawi waters, then their transformation into oil, then embarkation, all under so-called Moroccan authorizations, with the aim of placing on the European market products for human use. Such products can only enter the European market if they are accompanied by certificates of origin and health guarantees drawn up by the administration of the State of origin.

In its judgment of 21 December 2016 the Court held that Morocco and Western Sahara were separate territories of distinct sovereignty and that the agreements concluded between the European Union and Morocco could in no case be applied In the Western Sahara. Thus, the products allegedly Moroccan but which actually come from the Saharawi waters and the port of ElAaiun can be exported by European companies and access to the European market only with the authorization of the Polisario Front, the sole representative of the Saharawi people. Mr. Mhamed Khadad, member of the leadership of the Polisario Front, said: "This concerns all waters under Saharawi sovereignty and all port boats since ElAaiun. Morocco is the occupying military power, subject to the Fourth Geneva Convention, and has no right to issue export authorizations ".

Yesterday, 16 January 2016, MEPs - Mrs Florent Marcellesi, José Bové and Bodil Valero (The Greens) - formally seized Mrs Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union, Mr Malmstrom, European Commissioner for Trade and Mr Moscovici , European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, of violations of European law that would be committed if the Key Bay could proceed to the landing of a cargo coming from the Saharawi waters and a Saharawi port.

Mr. Mhamed Khadad announced on January 17th that the Polisario Front will file a complaint with the European Commission and the customs authorities in France within 48 hours to ensure that European law is respected: "We hope for dialogue, but we are determined To enforce the judgment of the Court of Justice ". According to the officially published road map, the Key Bay must arrive in Fécamp in France at the end of this week. The French customs authorities would violate European law by admitting the landing of products which are not guaranteed by valid certificates of origin, then Morocco is not sovereign at ElAaiun.

The Polisario Front asks the European Commission and the customs authorities to draw up a report of the illegality of this export and that the cargo be seized in accordance with the requirements of European customs law.

Bir Lahlou, January 17, 2017

Original text in French published by Barbara Weingarter on Facebook (see below).

​More info:
- English: http://www.wsrw.org/a105x3725
- French: ​
http://diasporasaharaui.blogspot.com.es/2017/01/lespagne-appelee-arreter-un-navire.html?spref=fb