Western Sahara is a contested area located on the northwest coast in the Maghreb region of North and West Africa. The Western Sahara, named by the UN in 1975, is the final African colonial territory still awaiting its independence. Approximately 20% of the area is governed by the self-styled Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), while the other 80% is occupied and managed by the adjacent country of Morocco.

HISTORICAL LANDMARKS OF WESTERN SAHARA

Its surface area measures 266,000 square kilometers (103,000 sq mi). It is the second least populated nation globally and the least populated in Africa, primarily made up of desert plains. The population is estimated to be slightly above 500,000, with nearly 40% residing in Laayoune, the largest city in Western Sahara.

Once a Spanish colony, it was incorporated into Morocco in 1975. Since that time, it has been the focus of a prolonged territorial conflict between Morocco and the native Sahrawi population, represented by the Polisario Front.

Morocco has employed both incentives and threats to secure the backing or at least the compliance of the native population. This pursuit of authority and legitimacy has faced local challenges, even though the idea of an independent Western Saharan state seems improbable. The majority of major powers, such as the United States, prefer that the contested land stays Moroccan. Western governments are concerned about the emergence of another weak state, nearly the size of Britain, in a region that is already troubled by numerous fragile or failing states.

A 16-year insurgency concluded in 1991 with a UN-mediated ceasefire and the assurance of an independence referendum that still has not occurred.

A buffer zone, or “berm” outfitted with landmines and defenses, extends along the contested area and divides the Moroccan-administered western section from the eastern region governed by the Polisario Front.

The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), which was proclaimed by the Polisario Front in 1976, is acknowledged by numerous governments and holds full membership in the African Union.

Western Sahara, which has phosphate reserves and abundant fishing areas along its coast, is also thought to contain unexplored offshore oil reserves.

After thirty-eight years, a permanent solution to the conflict remains elusive. Achieving a settlement is essential, but the methods for accomplishing it are restricted. Diplomacy continues to be riddled with obstacles and difficulties. Any effort to alter the course of discussions meets fierce opposition from one side or the other. The unsuccessful effort by the US in April 2013 to broaden the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) to cover human rights oversight in the region exemplifies the political intricacies involved in the Western Sahara conflict.

Until quite recently, high-ranking officials appeared unaware of the harm that ongoing human rights issues, increasing social discontent, and societal pressure have inflicted on the nation’s image and trustworthiness.

WHERE IS WESTERN SAHARA TODAY

So far, socio-economic and political issues have fueled conflict and sparked indigenous Sahrawi efforts for independence. Morocco needs to more clearly define the regulations and structure of its unique territorial setup for the Western Sahara. Rabat must now fulfill its commitments to enhance its governance of the region and ready the area for self-rule.

The primary concern for many Sahrawis continues to be authentic self-governance, along with improved access to and management of natural resources. Morocco’s major investments (almost $3 billion solely for essential basic infrastructure) have not promoted sustainable development. Instead, they have helped to reinforce a conventional spoils system, where local tribal chiefs, prominent figures, key Sahrawi refugees who left the Polisario, and elected representatives seize the majority of the economic and political advantages. The area relies heavily on government welfare and social support.

THE POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE WESTERN SAHARA- MORROCO TUSSLE

If success is attained, it would be just as, if not more crucial, to persuade skeptical Western Sahrawis about Morocco’s trade-off proposal. Numerous interviews conducted in Laayoune and Dakhla show that the majority of native Sahrawis are either unaware of the specifics of the autonomy proposal or simply lack confidence in Morocco’s genuine intentions regarding self-governance for the region. Politicizing human rights topics, as supporters of Polisario do in the global arena, will not resolve the conflict, nor will attempts to boycott goods from Western Sahara or impede the utilization of natural resources. This will merely damage the local community.

Javier Perez de Cuellar, the fifth UN Secretary-General mentioned his memoirs. “I was always skeptical that independence offered the best future for the people of Western Sahara. Regardless of how they are counted, their population is fewer than 150,000, and apart from its phosphate resources, the land is not fertile, presenting limited chances of sustaining itself as an independent nation. The existing political leadership is unremarkable and, in certain instances, lacks Sahrawi roots. He stated that the only viable solution is for Western Sahara to be incorporated as an autonomous entity within Morocco. This “could have saved numerous lives and a significant amount of money.”

Morocco asserts that autonomy within its sovereignty is the maximum it can provide as a political resolution to the conflict, whereas the armed Polisario Front demands a referendum that includes independence as a choice.

During a private briefing to the Security Council in October 2024, veteran Italian diplomat de Mistura mentioned that partition “could enable the establishment of an independent state in the southern area, while the remaining Territory could be integrated as part of Morocco, with its sovereignty being internationally acknowledged.”

De Mistura noted in the briefing that neither Morocco nor the Polisario Front accepted the proposal.

De Mistura stated that the U.N. Secretary General ought to reevaluate the value of his position as an envoy if there is no advancement within six months.

The U.N. Security Council has urged the parties in its resolutions to collaborate towards a politically acceptable solution to the conflict and has characterized Morocco’s autonomy proposal as “serious and credible.”

WESTERN SAHARA: FACTS

• Largest city: Laayoune
• Area: 266,000 sq km
• Population: 565,000
• Languages: Arabic, Berber, plus Spanish, French
• Life expectancy: 62 years (men) 67 years (women)

Notable dates in the timeline of Western Sahara:

1884 – Spain begins colonization of Western Sahara, a region previously inhabited by Berber tribes.

1934 – Is designated as a Spanish province called Spanish Sahara.

1957 – Morocco, recently independent, asserts its age-old claim to Western Sahara.

1965 – The UN urges the decolonization of Western Sahara.

1973 – The Polisario Front, an indigenous movement for Sahrawi independence, is established.

1975 – King Hassan of Morocco disregards a Hague ruling supporting Saharawi self-determination rights and organizes the “Green March” involving 350,000 Moroccans into Western Sahara. Spain retreats.

1975-91 – The Polisario Front engages in a 16-year guerrilla conflict against Moroccan troops. This concludes with a cease-fire brokered by the UN, resulting in the Polisario governing roughly 20% of the area, while Morocco controls the remainder.

1991-2000s – A cease-fire mediated by the UN concludes the conflict, but Morocco has still not conducted a promised referendum on independence.

Multiple UN-backed discussions fall short of achieving a breakthrough.

2020 – The US declares it will acknowledge Morocco’s complete sovereignty over Western Sahara in return for Morocco normalizing relations with Israel.

2021 – Morocco suggests autonomy for Western Sahara while remaining under the sovereignty of the Moroccan King.

2022 – Spain considers Morocco’s proposal as “the most serious, realistic, and credible foundation” for resolving the conflict regarding Western Sahara. Saharawi political organizations dismiss the suggestion.

2023 – Israel acknowledges Morocco’s assertions regarding Western Sahara.