Western Sahara conflict

Introduction

The Western Sahara conflict is a prolonged territorial dispute involving the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and the Kingdom of Morocco. The conflict originated in the late 20th century, following the withdrawal of Spain from the Western Sahara region, which led to a power vacuum and subsequent struggle for control of the territory.

A wide, panoramic view of the Western Sahara desert, showing its vast expanses of sand dunes under a clear blue sky.

Historical Background

The roots of the Western Sahara conflict can be traced back to the late 19th century when European powers, particularly Spain, began to establish colonial rule over the region. The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, which formalized the Scramble for Africa, recognized Spanish sovereignty over the territory that would later become known as Western Sahara.

Decolonization and the Emergence of the Conflict

The process of decolonization in Africa during the mid-20th century led to increased pressure on Spain to relinquish its control over Western Sahara. The United Nations (UN) adopted several resolutions calling for self-determination for the people of Western Sahara, which Spain initially resisted. However, by the mid-1970s, Spain agreed to hold a referendum on self-determination, but this was never carried out due to political complications.

The Role of the Polisario Front

The Polisario Front, a nationalist movement formed by the indigenous Sahrawi people, emerged in the early 1970s. The group sought independence for Western Sahara and engaged in guerrilla warfare against both Moroccan and Mauritanian forces, as well as the remaining Spanish presence.

The Green March and Moroccan Control

In 1975, Morocco's King Hassan II organized the Green March, a mass demonstration of approximately 350,000 unarmed Moroccans who marched into Western Sahara. This event, coupled with the Madrid Accords, led to the transfer of control of Western Sahara from Spain to Morocco and Mauritania.

The War and the Ceasefire

Following the Green March and the Madrid Accords, a war broke out between Morocco, Mauritania, and the Polisario Front. The war lasted until 1991, when a UN-brokered ceasefire was agreed upon. The ceasefire agreement included provisions for a referendum on self-determination for the people of Western Sahara, which has yet to be held.

Current Status and Ongoing Disputes

The status of Western Sahara remains unresolved, with Morocco controlling the majority of the territory and the Polisario Front controlling the remainder. The UN continues to maintain a peacekeeping mission in the region, known as the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).