The hunger-striking Western Sahara activist Aminatou Haidar is calling on the Obama administration to pressure the Moroccan government to allow her return home.
Known as the “Sahrawi Gandhi,” Haidar has been on a hunger strike for nearly four weeks since Moroccan officials denied her entry into Western Sahara. Morocco has demanded Haidar recognize Moroccan sovereignty over her homeland and apologize to the king. On Thursday, Haidar held a news conference at the Spanish airport where she’s been confined since last month.

Aminatou Haidar: “The Spanish government has to give importance to human rights and change its attitude and defend those interests which are above those of the government. Nobody can push me or feed me against my will.”

Haidar went on to issue a plea to President Obama, saying US involvement would sway the Moroccan government to allow her return.