Mijek

Mijek (also transliterated "Mijik", "Miyek" or "Miyec"; Arabic: ميجك‎) is a small town in the Río de Oro region of Western Sahara. It is located east of the Moroccan Wall, in the Liberated Territories (controlled by the Polisario Front and administered by the Sahrawi Republic), 80 km north of the Mauritanian town of Zouérat and 250 km. east of Dakhla. It has a hospital, and reportedly a school will be opened during the 2012–2013 academic year.[2] It is the head of the 3rd military region of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

Mijek ميجك Miyek
Municipality and town
Mijek Location in Western Sahara
Coordinates: 23°26′46″N 12°49′36″W
Territory	Western Sahara
Claimed by	Morocco  Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
Controlled by	Sahrawi Republic
Government
• Type	Municipality[1]
Elevation	280 m (920 ft)
Climate	BWh

History

The surroundings were the scene of several battles between Sahrawi tribes and the French Army (Battle of Teniamun in late 1931, Battle of Miyec in early 1932).[3]

Politics

On May 20, 2007, the Polisario Front celebrated in Mijek the 34th anniversary of the beginning of its armed struggle.[4] It also hosted the annual conference of the Sahrawi communities abroad (Sahrawi diaspora).[5]

On October 12, 2010, the village hosted the 35th anniversary of the "Day of National Unity", commemorating the Ain Ben Tili conference of 1975, as well as the Sahrawi diaspora conference.[6]

International relations

Twin towns and sister cities

Mijek is twinned with:

Coslada, Madrid, Spain Elorrio, Biscay, Basque Country, Spain[7] Incisa in Val d'Arno, Florence, Tuscany, Italy[8] Llanera, Asturias, Spain (since 1996)[9] Marciana Marina, Livorno, Tuscany, Italy[8] Mundaka, Biscay, Basque Country, Spain[10] Ormaiztegi, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain[11] Oyón-Oion, Álava, Basque Country, Spain[12] Peligros, Granada, Andalucía, Spain Poggibonsi, Siena, Tuscany, Italy[8]

Ponte Buggianese, Pistoia, Tuscany, Italy (since January 27, 1996)[8] Ugao-Miraballes, Biscay, Basque Country, Spain[13] Vaiano, Prato, Tuscany, Italy[8]

References

1. "Allocating seats for the liberated territories in Parliament will be considered in the next election (Official)". Sahara Press Service. 2012-02-20. Archived from the original on 2014-09-12. Retrieved 02-07-2012. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
2. "Academic year 2012-2013 officially kicks off". SPS. 2012-09-16. Archived from the original on 2015-01-19. Retrieved 10-03-2013. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
3. Antequera Luengo, Juan José (2002). El sistema heráldico del Sáhara Occidental. Sevilla: FACEdiciones / Separatas universitarias nº 876. p. 25. ISBN 978-84-9986-201-9.
4. "Une délégation marocaine participe à la célébration du 34ème anniversaire du Front Polisario (envoyés spéciaux)" (in French). SPS. 2007-05-20. Archived from the original on 2009-10-05. Retrieved 12-10-2010. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
5. "La diaspora sahraouie affirme son soutien à l'"Intifada pour l'indépendance"" (in French). SPS. 2007-05-21. Archived from the original on 2009-10-05. Retrieved 12-10-2010. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
6. "Launch of celebrations commemorating thirty-fifth anniversary of National Unity". SPS. 12-10-2010. Retrieved 12-10-2010. Check date values in: |accessdate=, |date= (help)
7. "Aytº de Elorrio (Bizkaia)" (in Spanish). Euskal Fondoa. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
8. Gemellaggi e Patti di Amicizia Regione Toscana - Consiglio Regionale, 27 March 2010 (in Italian)
9. Llanera es:Federación Española de Municipios y Provincias
10. "Aytº de Mundaka (Bizkaia)" (in Spanish). Euskal Fondoa. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
11. "Aytº de Ormaiztegi (Gipuzkoa)" (in Spanish). Euskal Fondoa. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
12. "Aytº de Oyón (Álava)" (in Spanish). Euskal Fondoa. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
13. "Aytº de Ugao-Miraballes (Bizkaia)" (in Spanish). Euskal Fondoa. Retrieved 2013-02-14.