El Aaiún
In 1972, after hearing about the Sahrawi nationalist demonstrations during the "mussem" (an event that is both religious festivity and cattle show) of Tan-Tan, he travelled to the former Spanish protectorate, being the nexus between the Sahrawi groups in Western Sahara and Southern Morocco. In the foundation of the POLISARIO, he was designated as the head of the El Aaiún delegation. He also joined the first cell of special operations within the POLISARIO.