A ceremony marking the fortieth day since the passing of the former resistance fighter Ida Ould Tamek was organised on Saturday in Assa by the Ait Youssi tribes.

This ceremony took place in the presence of the Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Interior, the Wali of the Guelmim-Smara region, Governor of the Guelmim province, the Governor of the Assa-Zag province, elected officials, notables of the Sahrawi tribes, members of the Resistance and the Liberation Army, members of the deceased's family, and civil and military figures.

The programme for this ceremony included, notably, the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran and the screening of a documentary retracing the deceased's journey and presenting testimonies about his life.

In a speech read on his behalf on this occasion, the High Commissioner for Former Resistance Fighters and Members of the Liberation Army, Mustapha El Ktiri, indicated that Ida Ould Tamek was one of the pillars of the resistance in southern Morocco, whose life was rich in services rendered to the nation and valiant deeds, adding that he tirelessly assumed the mission of the national struggle for the principles and values in which he believed and left his mark on the national historical memory.

The deceased dedicated the prime of his life to the service of his religion, his homeland, and his King, with the goal of his country's independence and the return from exile of the legitimate Sovereign, the late H.M. Mohammed V, stressed Mr. El Ktiri, adding that this ceremony constitutes an occasion to maintain the memory of former resistance fighters and transmit the values and lessons drawn from their journeys to new generations.

The late Ida Ould Tamek passed away on 6 January in Assa at the age of 105. The deceased, from the Sahrawi Ait Youssi tribes, operated in the 7th district of the Liberation Army under the orders of the late Mbarek Manar, first as an officer, before assuming command of this zone.

During this period, he took part in several battles, including Oum Laâchar I and II, Merguala, Arghioua, Ai Icht (near Foum Lehssen), Takel (near Mauritania), and Sakia Lhamra, as well as other clashes in Ait Baâmrane (Taliouine region) against the Spanish army.

The deceased was awarded several military decorations. Likewise, he was decorated with the Ouissam Alaouite of the order of Commander in 2003 in Assa.