Western Sahara resident speaks to Decorah Lions Club

(Left to right): Decorah Lions Club member Rich Svenson, Fatimetu Jutri Emahamed and Linda Svenson

Luther College first year student Fatimetu Jutri Emahmed from Western Sahara has told members of the Decorah Lions Club about her country and how she came to Decorah.
 
Western Sahara, classified as a disputed territory, is located in northwestern Africa and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west, Morocco to the north, Mauritania to the south and east and a short border with Algeria to the northeast.

Originally inhabited by the Berber people and Arabian tribes, the area was colonized by Spain in the 1880's. After World War II, Spain decolonized the territory and sovereignty was disputed by Morocco and Mauritania. Western Sahara was thrust into the Cold War conflict with the U.S. and its allies siding with Morocco and the USSR with Algeria.

This unrest has continued to this day with many of the inhabitants residing in refugee camps and land mines being a constant threat.  Large parts of Western Sahara are controlled by Morocco, with one-quarter of the area controlled by the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

Fatimetu received her early education in a camp and from her female relatives, she then continued her schooling in Algeria. She qualified for a United World College Scholarship by finishing third in her class and attended school in Bergen, Norway where she learned English. Fatimetu said that she chose Luther College because she wanted to attend a smaller school in a safe community.