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 berm, 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 Show map of Western Sahara Mijek Mijek (Africa) Show map of Africa
Coordinates: 23°26′46″N 12°49′36″W
Non-self-governing territory	Western Sahara
Claimed by	Kingdom of Morocco  Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
Controlled by	Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
Government
• Type	Municipality[1]
Area
• Total	21.58 km2 (8.33 sq mi)
Elevation	280 m (920 ft)
Population  (2014)
• Total	519
• Density	24/km2 (62/sq mi)
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 20 May 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 12 October 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:

• Ivry-sur-Seine, Val-de-Marne, France (2022)
• 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 27 January 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. 20 February 2012. Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
2. "Academic year 2012–2013 officially kicks off". SPS. 16 September 2012. Archived from the original on 19 January 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
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. 20 May 2007. Archived from the original on 5 October 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
5. "La diaspora sahraouie affirme son soutien à l'"Intifada pour l'indépendance"" (in French). SPS. 21 May 2007. Archived from the original on 5 October 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
6. "Launch of celebrations commemorating thirty-fifth anniversary of National Unity". SPS. 12 October 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2010.^{[permanent dead link]}
7. "Aytº de Elorrio (Bizkaia)" (in Spanish). Euskal Fondoa. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
8. Gemellaggi e Patti di Amicizia^{[permanent dead link]} Regione Toscana – Consiglio Regionale, 27 March 2010 (in Italian)
9. Llanera Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine es:Federación Española de Municipios y Provincias
10. "Aytº de Mundaka (Bizkaia)" (in Spanish). Euskal Fondoa. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
11. "Aytº de Ormaiztegi (Gipuzkoa)" (in Spanish). Euskal Fondoa. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
12. "Aytº de Oyón (Álava)" (in Spanish). Euskal Fondoa. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
13. "Aytº de Ugao-Miraballes (Bizkaia)" (in Spanish). Euskal Fondoa. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2013.