The Western Sahara Conflict, Explained

Summary

Western Sahara, a desert region along the Atlantic coast, is a landlocked area of geopolitical tension. The dispute over its sovereignty dates back to colonial times when Spain controlled it, and continues today with Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) claiming it. The conflict intensified after Spain's withdrawal, leading to wars and political struggles. Despite a ceasefire in 1991 and plans for a referendum, the region remains divided, with Morocco controlling 80% and the Polisario Front seeking independence. The situation mirrors other unresolved global conflicts, leaving the future of Western Sahara uncertain.

Takeaways

• 😀 Western Sahara, a desert region along the Atlantic Ocean, is marked as 'no data available' on many maps due to its disputed status.
• 😀 Despite its vast land area (larger than New Zealand), Western Sahara has a small population due to its harsh desert environment.
• 😀 Western Sahara's territorial dispute is rooted in colonial history, particularly Spain's claim over the region in the late 19th century.
• 😀 Spain controlled the region as Spanish Sahara from 1958, but by the 1970s, African decolonization movements gained momentum.
• 😀 Morocco and Mauritania both claimed sovereignty over Western Sahara, while the Polisario Front, representing the native Sahrawi people, sought independence.
• 😀 The Polisario Front formed in 1973 to resist colonial powers and advocated for an independent Sahrawi state.
• 😀 Spain initially agreed to a referendum on Western Sahara's future but delayed it due to Moroccan opposition and historical claims.
• 😀 The International Court of Justice ruled that while Morocco and Mauritania had historical claims, native Sahrawi support was critical for sovereignty.
• 😀 Morocco's Green March in 1975 involved 300,000 Moroccans marching into Western Sahara, leading to the Madrid Agreement and the division of the territory.
• 😀 Despite a ceasefire agreement and planned referendum in 1991, Morocco controls 80% of Western Sahara today, while the Polisario Front operates from Algeria.
• 😀 The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is recognized by 45 U.N. member states, but no country officially recognizes Morocco's claim to Western Sahara.

Q & A

What is the significance of the land labeled 'no data available' on maps of Western Sahara?

The label 'no data available' on maps of Western Sahara represents the geopolitical and territorial uncertainty surrounding the region, as it remains a disputed area with conflicting claims from multiple nations.

Why is Western Sahara sparsely populated despite its large size?

Western Sahara is sparsely populated because it consists mostly of uninhabitable desert. Most human activity is concentrated along the coastal regions, leaving the vast majority of the territory virtually uninhabited.

How does the size of Western Sahara compare to the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre-Hazleton metropolitan area?

Western Sahara is 5,682% larger than the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre-Hazleton metropolitan area, despite having a population smaller by about 2,000 inhabitants.

How did European colonialism play a role in the creation of the Western Sahara conflict?

European colonialism set the stage for the Western Sahara conflict by dividing African territories and creating borders that didn't align with local ethnic or cultural realities, including the Spanish claim over Western Sahara starting in 1884.

What was the role of the United Nations in the decolonization of Western Sahara?

The United Nations played a crucial role in the decolonization of Africa, including Western Sahara. It opposed colonization and sought to enable independence movements, which contributed to the eventual loss of Spanish control over the region.

Why did Morocco claim sovereignty over Western Sahara after its independence in 1956?

Morocco claimed sovereignty over Western Sahara after its independence because it considered the region part of its historical territory, a claim that was contested by both Spain and Mauritania.

What is the significance of the Polisario Front in the Western Sahara conflict?

The Polisario Front was established in 1973 to end colonial rule in Western Sahara and to advocate for an independent state for the Sahrawi people. It has been a key player in the resistance against Moroccan control over the region.

What was the Green March, and how did it affect the Western Sahara conflict?

The Green March was a large-scale demonstration in 1975 organized by Morocco, where 300,000 unarmed Moroccans marched into Western Sahara to demand Spanish withdrawal and Moroccan control over the region, contributing to the eventual division of the land between Morocco and Mauritania.

What was the outcome of the Madrid Agreement in 1975?

The Madrid Agreement in 1975 divided Western Sahara between Morocco and Mauritania, with Spain withdrawing from the region. The agreement was opposed by the Polisario Front, which declared independence and formed the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

What is the current status of Western Sahara and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic?

Currently, Morocco controls around 80% of Western Sahara, while the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, declared by the Polisario Front in 1976, is recognized by 45 U.N. member states but is not recognized by any nation as sovereign over the region.