Morocco and the Saharawis: Blood in Western Sahara

Summary

The video delves into the ongoing struggle for independence in Western Sahara, a desolate desert region caught in a decades-long conflict. The Saharawi people, a nomadic group, have faced occupation by Morocco and Mauritania since the 20th century. Despite international efforts, including numerous peace plans and UN resolutions, the region remains disputed. Tensions escalated after Morocco's annexation of the territory, leading to a volatile political situation. The video highlights the challenges of self-determination, foreign intervention, and the persistence of conflict, drawing attention to the complex geopolitics of the region.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Western Sahara conflict is a long-standing territorial dispute involving Morocco, Mauritania, and the Polisario Front, centered around the Sahrawi people's quest for self-determination.
• 😀 The land in question, located in the Sahara Desert, was historically home to nomadic people known as the Saharawi, who were often caught between the shifting borders created by colonial powers.
• 😀 Spain was the colonial power in Western Sahara until its withdrawal in 1975, leaving a power vacuum that Morocco and Mauritania sought to fill, while the Polisario Front emerged to fight for Sahrawi independence.
• 😀 The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in 1975 that Morocco and Mauritania did not have territorial ties to Western Sahara, but Morocco disregarded this ruling and launched the 'Green March' to occupy the region.
• 😀 In 1976, Morocco and Mauritania divided Western Sahara between them through the Madrid Accords, but the Polisario Front continued to resist, particularly targeting Moroccan interests.
• 😀 After Mauritania withdrew in 1979 due to mounting pressure from the Polisario, Morocco consolidated its control over the region, building fortified walls around its occupied territories.
• 😀 Despite Morocco's military dominance, the region's status remains unresolved, with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) still seeking recognition and independence, especially from international bodies like the African Union and the UN.
• 😀 Efforts to resolve the conflict through a referendum, particularly under UN supervision in the 1990s, faced setbacks due to disagreements over voter eligibility and the inclusion of an independence option.
• 😀 The United States recognized Morocco's control over Western Sahara in 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords, further complicating the situation and leading to renewed hostilities between the Polisario and Morocco.
• 😀 The conflict has sparked tensions with neighboring Algeria, which supports the Polisario Front and continues to maintain a hostile relationship with Morocco over Western Sahara.
• 😀 The ongoing conflict has caused significant human suffering, with Sahrawi refugees living in harsh conditions, and there is potential for future negotiations if international law is upheld and Morocco's annexation is retracted.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Saharawi people's nomadic history in the context of the Western Sahara conflict?

The Saharawi people, as a nomadic society, were always on the move, following clouds for pasture and water, and had no fixed borders. This history of nomadism made the concept of territorial boundaries, established by colonial powers, difficult for them to relate to. It highlights the complexities of establishing a national identity and sovereignty in a region with fluid borders.

How did European colonialism impact the borders and territorial disputes in Western Sahara?

European colonial powers, specifically Spain and France, drew arbitrary borders in the region that did not consider the nomadic lifestyle of the Saharawi people. This led to tensions and disputes over territorial control after the colonial powers withdrew, as local populations did not identify with the borders imposed by Europeans.

What role did Morocco's desire for 'Greater Morocco' play in the Western Sahara conflict?

Morocco sought to reclaim territories that were historically part of previous Moroccan dynasties, including Western Sahara. After gaining independence in 1956, Morocco's monarch Muhammad V aimed to expand the kingdom's borders, including Western Sahara, leading to territorial disputes with Spain, Mauritania, and the indigenous Saharawi people.

Why was the 1974 Spanish census in Western Sahara important for the conflict?

The 1974 census conducted by Spain was crucial because it formed the basis for voter registration in future discussions about the territory's status. The census was intended to clarify who lived in the region and who had the right to vote on its future, but the process became contentious as different groups had conflicting interests over the people eligible to vote.

What was the outcome of the 1975 International Court of Justice ruling regarding Morocco's claims over Western Sahara?

The ICJ ruled in 1975 that there was no legal connection between Morocco and Western Sahara that would grant Morocco sovereignty over the territory. The court also emphasized the importance of the Saharawi people's right to self-determination, which Morocco ignored, leading to further conflict.

What was the significance of the Madrid Accords of 1976?

The Madrid Accords, signed by Spain, Morocco, and Mauritania in 1976, effectively divided Western Sahara between Morocco and Mauritania. Spain withdrew from the region, and both Morocco and Mauritania had to deal with the armed resistance from the Polisario Front, which sought independence for the Saharawi people.

How did the Polisario Front resist the occupation of Western Sahara by Morocco and Mauritania?

The Polisario Front, supported by Algeria, launched guerilla warfare against both Morocco and Mauritania. They utilized their knowledge of the harsh desert terrain to conduct effective resistance operations, which eventually led to Mauritania's withdrawal from the conflict in 1979, leaving Morocco to deal with the Polisario alone.

Why did the United Nations intervene in the Western Sahara conflict, and what was its plan?

The United Nations intervened to try to resolve the conflict through a referendum process, allowing the people of Western Sahara to determine their future. The UN's plan, known as MINURSO, aimed to hold a referendum, but disagreements over voter eligibility, particularly regarding the inclusion of Saharawi people outside the territory, stalled progress.

What were the main issues in the UN's proposed referendum for Western Sahara?

The main issues in the UN's proposed referendum included disagreements over who should be eligible to vote. The Polisario Front wanted the referendum to be based on the 1974 census, while Morocco wanted to include Saharawi people living outside Western Sahara. The process was further complicated by tribal structures and the challenge of verifying voters' identities.

How did the Abraham Accords affect the Western Sahara conflict?

The Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and Morocco, indirectly impacted the Western Sahara conflict. In exchange for diplomatic ties with Israel, the United States recognized Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara, which was seen as a betrayal by the Saharawi people and led to renewed hostilities between Morocco and the Polisario Front.