Construction of a new palace for Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali is nearing completion in the Rabouni area of the Tindouf camps in southwestern Algeria, according to photos and information shared by Sahrawi activists and opponents of the Polisario.
Recently circulated images show that most of the building's exterior has been completed, with finishing work now underway. The project, which had remained in its early stages for years, is expected to be ready for use soon, although neither the Polisario leadership nor the Algerian authorities have announced an official opening date or disclosed details about its funding.
Located in Rabouni, the political and administrative headquarters of the Polisario near the Algerian city of Tindouf, the complex is reportedly designed not only as Ghali's residence but also as a venue for hosting foreign delegations, official meetings, and ceremonies, with additional security and service facilities.
The project has sparked renewed criticism from Sahrawi activists, who question the construction of a luxury complex while thousands of residents in the Tindouf camps continue to depend on international humanitarian aid for food, healthcare, and other basic needs. Estimates of the project's cost vary widely, ranging from around $670,000 to as much as $3 million, with critics alleging that much of the funding comes from Algeria, along with international assistance.
Among the critics is Polisario member Said Zeroual, who lives in Sweden and has shared photos documenting the project's progress. He accused the Polisario leadership of spending heavily on a residence for its leader while camp residents face deteriorating living conditions, weak healthcare and education services, and declining humanitarian assistance. Other Sahrawi activists have described the building as a "presidential palace" and questioned why resources were allocated to the leadership instead of improving housing, water supplies, electricity networks, and public services in the camps.
The project is also likely to fuel broader criticism of the Polisario and Algeria, with opponents arguing that the construction of permanent government-style facilities on Algerian territory further highlights Algiers' support for the movement. Critics also say the palace symbolizes the growing gap between the Polisario leadership and the population it claims to represent, particularly amid persistent calls for greater transparency over the management of aid and financial resources in the Tindouf camps.
