It’s being maintained by Saharawi men and woman demanding  that the kingdom, which has illegally occupied their country for 45 years, keep its promise to have a referendum on self-determination for the territory.

France’s Europe and Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian visited Morocco this week.

His statement interestingly did not condemn the blockade or call for its immediate lifting.

This comes of little comfort to the 200 Moroccan truck drivers stranded in Guerguerat, the town on the border of Mauritania and the Sarahawi Democratic Republic, because of the blockade.

Le Drian reiterated France’s desire for a just, lasting and mutually agreed settlement in the Western Sahara.

Moroccan troops marched into the country when Spanish forces left its after the fall of General Franco.

A 15- year war ensued that was ended by United Nations peacekeepers.

Morocco constructed a sand wall to keep Saharawi fighters at bay.

The blockade is maintained because Morocco does not dare to try exercising any control of what happens behind that wall, known as a berm.

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United Nations peacekeepers were deployed to restore order in the capital Kinshasa.

The demonstrations were centered around Catholic churches. They called for the rallies after abandoning  their mediation role in the DRC super-heated politics.

President Joseph Kabila, who’s constitutional mandate expired in November 2016, says elections will be held by the end of this year.

But that’s not good enough for growing numbers of protesters who want him to go now.

Three months ago their demonstrations turned deadly.

Yesterday, UN blue helmets drafted in to restore peace, were unable to prevent it happening again.

Congolese police reportedly fired live rounds and teargas into the crowds.

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