Western Sahara conflict facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Western Sahara conflict |
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 Gathering of Sahrawi troops, near Tifariti (Western Sahara), celebrating the 32nd anniversary to the Polisario Front (2005). |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
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 Morocco Mauritania (1975–79)Supported by:  France (1977–78) United States Saudi Arabia |
 Sahrawi RepublicSupported by:  Algeria (1976–) Libya (1976–1984) |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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 Mohammed VI (1999–present) Hassan II (1970–99) Ahmed Dlimi (1970–83) Abdelaziz Bennani (1983–2014) Bouchaib Arroub (2014–17) Abdelfattah Louarak (2017–21) Belkhir El Farouk (2021–2023) Mohammed Berrid (2023–) Mokhtar Ould Daddah (1970–78) Mustafa Ould Salek (1978–79) Valéry Giscard d'Estaing (1977–78) |
Brahim Ghali (2016–present) Mohamed Abdelaziz (1976–2016) El-Ouali Mustapha Sayed (died in battle) (1976) Lahbib Ayoub Houari Boumediène (1970–78) |
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| Strength | |||||||
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30,000 (1976)150,000 (1988) 3,000–5,000 (1976)18,000 (1978) |
5,000 (1976) | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| unknown 2,155–2,300 captured 2,000 soldiers killed |
unknown | ||||||
| Total: 14,000–21,000 killed overall 40,000 (1976); 80,000 (1977) refugees |
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The Western Sahara conflict is a long-lasting disagreement between the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic/Polisario Front and the Kingdom of Morocco. It began with a fight by the Polisario Front against Spanish forces from 1973 to 1975. This was followed by the Western Sahara War against Morocco between 1975 and 1991. Today, the conflict mainly involves peaceful efforts by the Polisario Front and their self-declared SADR state. They want Western Sahara to become a fully independent country.
The conflict became more serious after Spain left the Spanish Sahara in 1975. This was agreed upon in the Madrid Accords. Starting in 1975, the Polisario Front, with help from Algeria, fought a 16-year war for independence. They fought against Mauritania and Morocco. In February 1976, the Polisario Front announced they had formed their own country. They called it the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). The United Nations did not accept it, but some other countries did.
After Morocco and Mauritania took over Western Sahara in 1976, the UN passed a resolution. This resolution said the Sahrawi people had the right to decide their own future. In 1977, France got involved as the conflict became very intense. In 1979, Mauritania left the conflict and the territories. This led to a standstill for most of the 1980s. After more fighting between 1989 and 1991, the Polisario Front and Morocco agreed to a ceasefire.
At that time, Morocco controlled most of Western Sahara. The Polisario controlled about 20% of the land as the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. They also controlled areas in the Sahrawi refugee camps near the Algerian border. These borders are mostly the same today.
Even with many peace efforts in the 1990s and early 2000s, the conflict started again in 2005. This was called the "Independence Intifada". It was a series of protests and riots in the Moroccan-controlled parts of Western Sahara. These lasted from May to November 2005. In late 2010, protests started again at the Gdeim Izik protest camp. These protests were peaceful at first. But later, they involved clashes between people and security forces. Many people were hurt on both sides.
Another series of protests began on February 26, 2011. This was because police did not stop anti-Sahrawi looting in Dakhla, Western Sahara. Protests quickly spread across the territory. While some protests still happen, the main movement mostly ended by May 2011.
Today, the Moroccan Government controls large parts of Western Sahara. These are known as the Southern Provinces. The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) controls about 20% of the territory. The SADR has limited international recognition. Key issues in the ongoing Western Sahara peace process include:
- Whether Morocco and SADR will recognize each other.
- If a Sahrawi state will be formed.
- The large number of Sahrawi refugees displaced by the conflict.
Contents
Understanding the Conflict's History
Spanish Rule in Western Sahara
In 1884, Spain claimed control over the coast from Cape Bojador to Cap Blanc. Later, Spain expanded its control. In 1958, Spain combined two areas, Saguia el-Hamra and Río de Oro. They formed the province of Spanish Sahara.
Local Sahrawi people often fought against Spanish forces. This kept Spain from fully controlling the territory for a long time. Ma al-Aynayn, a Saharan leader, started an uprising against the French in 1910. This was because France tried to expand its power in North-West Africa. Ma al-Aynayn died in October 1910, and his son El Hiba took over. El Hiba's forces were defeated when they tried to conquer Marrakesh. In response, French forces destroyed the holy city of Smara in 1913. The city was rebuilt, and Sahrawi resistance continued for 20 more years.
The rebellious area was finally brought under control in 1934. This happened after Spanish and French forces destroyed Smara a second time. In 1956, the Ifni War began. This war, started by the Moroccan Army of Liberation, brought new conflict to the region. After two years, Spanish forces regained control with French help. However, people in the region remained restless. In 1967, the Harakat Tahrir group formed to peacefully challenge Spanish rule. After the Zemla Intifada in 1970, Spanish police broke up the group. Its founder, Muhammad Bassiri, disappeared. After this, Sahrawi nationalism turned back towards military action.
The Polisario Front's Formation
Before the Polisario Front, there was another group called the Movement for the Liberation of Saguia el Hamra and Wadi el Dhahab. In 1971, young Sahrawi students in Morocco started a new group. It was called The Embryonic Movement for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro. They tried to get support from Arab governments, including Algeria and Morocco. But they only got help from Libya and Mauritania. Because of this, the movement moved to Spanish-controlled Western Sahara. There, they began an armed rebellion. Women in Western Sahara are important members of the Polisario Front. They serve as soldiers and activists.
A UN mission in June 1975 found that most people strongly supported Sahrawi independence. They also said the Polisario Front was the strongest political group in the country. The group became close with Algeria in 1975. In 1976, Algeria called Morocco's takeover of Western Sahara a "slow, murderous" invasion.
Key Events in the Conflict
Beginning of Armed Struggle
The Polisario Front officially formed on May 10, 1973, in Zouirate, Mauritania. Their goal was to use military force to end Spanish rule. Their first leader was El-Ouali Mustapha Sayed. He led an armed fight against Spanish colonization. On May 20, he led the Khanga raid. This was the Polisario's first armed action. They took over a Spanish post and seized rifles.
The Polisario slowly gained control over large parts of the Western Saharan desert. Their power grew after early 1975. This was when the Tropas Nomadas (local auxiliary forces) started joining the Polisario Front. They brought their weapons and training with them. At this point, the Polisario Front had about 800 fighters. But they had a much larger network of supporters. The 1975 United Nations visiting mission to Spanish Sahara found that most Sahrawi people wanted independence. They also said the Polisario Front was the most powerful political group in the country.
The Western Sahara War
The Western Sahara War was an armed conflict from 1975 to 1991. It was mainly fought between the Polisario Front and Morocco. The conflict started after Spain left the Spanish Sahara. Spain had agreed to give control of the territory to Morocco and Mauritania. The Polisario Front, supported by Algeria and Libya, wanted an independent Sahrawi state. They fought both Mauritania and Morocco to drive their forces out.
In 1979, Mauritania pulled its forces out of the disputed territory. The Polisario Front and Morocco then reached a ceasefire agreement in 1991. The war caused between 14,000 and 21,000 deaths on both sides. About 40,000 to 80,000 Sahrawi people became refugees because of the conflict. Most of them still live in various Sahrawi refugee camps in Algeria.
First Sahrawi Uprising (Intifada)
The First Sahrawi Intifada began in 1999 and lasted until 2004. It then turned into the Independence Intifada in 2005. This uprising was part of the larger, ongoing Western Sahara conflict.
Independence Uprising (Intifada)
The Independence Intifada, also called the Second Sahrawi Intifada, is a term used by Sahrawi activists. Intifada is an Arabic word for "uprising". It refers to a series of protests and riots that started in May 2005. These events took place in the Moroccan-controlled parts of Western Sahara. During these events, one civilian was killed and hundreds were injured.
Gdeim Izik and Arab Spring Protests
The Gdeim Izik protest camp was set up in Western Sahara on October 9, 2010. It lasted until November, with other events happening after it was taken down on November 8, 2010. According to Human Rights Watch, Moroccan security forces moved to dismantle the camp. About 6,500 tents had been set up by Sahrawis in early October. They were protesting their social and economic conditions in Moroccan-controlled Western Sahara. The protests were peaceful at first. But later, there were clashes between civilians and security forces. Official counts reported that eleven security officers and at least two civilians were killed. Many public and private buildings and vehicles in the city were burned.
In 2011, new protests started again on February 26. This was a reaction to police failing to stop anti-Sahrawi looting in Dakhla, Western Sahara. These protests then spread across the territory. They are seen as the Western Saharan part of the Arab Spring protests. Despite strong support at first, the 2011 protests mostly ended by May 2011.
End of the Ceasefire
On November 14, 2020, SADR president Brahim Ghali announced the end of the 29-year ceasefire. He said this was because the Moroccan army entered a buffer zone two days earlier. Protesters were blocking this area. The SADR saw this as a declaration of war. The SADR claims the Moroccan-built road is illegal. They say it was built after the 1991 UN-brokered truce. Morocco, however, says it will still follow the ceasefire. They claim the army was just trying to reopen the road to traffic. The Sahara Press Service later reported that Polisario fighters attacked Moroccan positions. These attacks happened along different parts of the frontline. The Moroccan government has not commented on these claims.
International Involvement
Algeria's Role
Algeria sees itself as an "important player" in the conflict. It officially supports the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination. Algeria has put a lot of effort into the Western Sahara conflict. This is especially true in its international relations, similar to Morocco.
Morocco believes Algeria is part of the conflict. It claims Algeria uses the Sahara issue for its own geopolitical interests. These interests date back to the Cold War. Morocco says Algeria sometimes calls itself "a concerned party" or "an important actor" to the UN. The United Nations has only officially considered Morocco and the Polisario Front as parties to the conflict. However, it does recognize that other interests might be involved.
Former UN Secretary-General Mr. Kofi Annan saw Algeria as a stakeholder. He invited Algeria "to engage as a party in these discussions and to negotiate." James Baker, a former UN envoy, also called Morocco and Algeria the "two chief protagonists" of the conflict. Some others have asked Morocco and Algeria to negotiate directly. Since late 2016, the UN has held roundtables in Geneva. Algeria has been invited to these talks. Algeria has refused to call itself a "stakeholder," preferring to be an "observer."
The refugee camps are in Algeria. Algeria has armed, trained, and funded the Polisario for over thirty years. More than two thousand Moroccan prisoners of war were held in Polisario camps in Algeria. All of them have since been released.
After the Green March and the ongoing dispute over Western Sahara, Algeria took property from Moroccans. It also forced tens of thousands of Moroccan civilians to leave since 1975. This still causes a lot of tension between the two countries.
Some experts believe the Sahara conflict is a domestic political issue for Algeria. In January and February 1976, there were direct battles in Amgala between the armies of Algeria and Morocco. Morocco claims to have captured Algerian officers and soldiers during these fights. They later released them to Algerian authorities.
Spain's Position
In 2011, Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jiménez asked a U.N. committee to check security in the Polisario-controlled refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria. She also asked them to investigate possible corruption in how international aid was given out. This statement came after two Spanish aid workers and one Italian were kidnapped in Tindouf. The kidnappers were suspected to be al-Qaeda members.
Arab League's View
Efforts to get support in the Arab World for a Greater Morocco did not succeed much. This was despite efforts in the early 1960s to involve the Arab League. Morocco's expansion plans caused problems, including a temporary break in relations with Tunisia. Morocco has been more successful regarding Western Sahara. The Organization of African Unity strongly supports Western Sahara's right to self-determination. However, the Arab League has shown little interest in the area.
African Consulates in Western Sahara
In March 2020, Liberia opened a consulate for Morocco in Dakhla. This made it the 10th African country to open a diplomatic office for Morocco in Western Sahara. This action effectively recognized Morocco's presence in the region. The Polisario Front and Algeria condemned the opening of this consulate.
European Union's Involvement
Members of the European Parliament passed the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) in February 2019. This agreement allows European fishing vessels to fish in Moroccan territory. It also plans for a move towards sustainable fishing. The Polisario Front was not part of these talks. However, the SFPA clearly allows European vessels to fish in the disputed coast of Western Sahara.
The NGO Human Rights Watch asked European Members of Parliament to vote against the plan. They argued that Morocco has no legal right to make agreements about a disputed territory. They said it is illegal under international law. The agreement claimed that fishing would not affect the conflict. But various Saharawi groups still spoke out against it. After the agreement passed, Saharawi activist groups signed a petition to the EU. They condemned the decision. The Polisario Front announced it would challenge the vote in the European Court of Justice. They stated it violated international law. This action encouraged Morocco. In January 2020, Morocco passed a law extending its recognized borders across Western Saharan waters.
United States' Changing Stance
In 2009, the Obama administration changed its position. It no longer supported Morocco's plan for Western Sahara. This reversed the Bush administration's support. It meant that the option of an independent Western Sahara was back on the table.
In April 2013, the United States suggested that MINURSO should monitor human rights in Western Sahara. Morocco strongly opposed this. They canceled their annual military exercises with the U.S. Army. Also in April, United States Ambassador to Morocco Samuel L. Kaplan said that Morocco's autonomy plan "can't be the only basis" for talks. He was talking about the UN-sponsored discussions between the Polisario Front and Morocco.
On December 10, 2020, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would officially recognize Morocco's claims over Western Sahara. In return, Morocco agreed to normalize relations with Israel. On December 4, 2020, the United States recognized Moroccan control over all of Western Sahara. It also reaffirmed its support for Morocco's autonomy proposal. They called it the only way to find a fair and lasting solution. The United States stated that an independent Sahrawi State is not a realistic option. They believe that true self-rule under Moroccan control is the only possible solution.
Efforts for Peace
Ceasefire Agreement
The ceasefire that ended the fighting was officially signed in 1991. Since then, more attempts have been made to solve the conflict. But no lasting solution has been found yet. The ceasefire held until November 13, 2020. On that day, the Moroccan army entered the demilitarized town of Guerguerat. The Sahrawi authorities responded by saying the ceasefire was broken. The SPLA armed forces then attacked Moroccan army positions along the Moroccan Western Sahara Wall.
Referendum and Houston Agreement
A referendum was originally planned for 1992. It was meant to let the people of Western Sahara choose between independence or joining Morocco. But it quickly stopped. In 1997, the Houston Agreement tried to restart the idea of a referendum. However, it also did not succeed. As of 2010, talks about the rules for any possible referendum have not led to any real action.
The main problem is deciding who can vote. The Polisario insists that only those listed in the 1974 Spanish Census can vote. Morocco says the census was incomplete and wants to include members of Sahrawi tribes. These tribes moved to northern Morocco in the 19th century to escape Spanish invasion. Both sides blame each other for the referendum being stalled. Little progress is expected soon.
UN special envoys tried to find common ground, but they did not succeed. By 1999, the UN had identified about 85,000 voters. Nearly half of them were in Moroccan-controlled Western Sahara or Southern Morocco. The others were in refugee camps, Mauritania, and other places. The Polisario Front accepted this voter list, but Morocco refused. As rejected voters appealed, the Moroccan government insisted each application be checked individually. Ongoing disagreements stopped the process again.
According to a NATO delegation, MINURSO election observers said in 1999 that "if the number of voters does not rise significantly the odds were slightly on the SADR side." By 2001, the process was stuck. The UN Secretary-General asked the parties to look for other solutions. After the Houston Agreement (1997), Morocco officially said that independence did not need to be an option on the ballot. Instead, they offered self-rule. Erik Jensen, who worked for MINURSO, wrote that neither side would agree to a voter registration if they thought they would lose.
Baker Plan for Peace
The Baker Plan was a United Nations effort led by James Baker. It aimed to give Western Sahara the right to decide its own future. It was created in 2000. It was meant to replace the Settlement Plan of 1991 and the Houston Agreement of 1997. Those plans had not worked well. Since early 2005, the UN Secretary-General has not mentioned the plan in his reports. It now seems mostly finished. No new plan exists, and there are worries that this lack of a plan will lead to more fighting. Morocco continues to suggest self-rule for the territory. The Polisario Front insists on nothing less than complete independence.
Moroccan Initiative and Manhasset Talks
In 2006, the Moroccan Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs (CORCAS) proposed a plan for Western Sahara to have autonomy (self-rule). They visited several countries to explain and get support for their idea. The Moroccan government plans to base any future agreement on how regions in Spain, like the Canary Islands or Catalonia, have self-rule. The plan was given to the UN Security Council in April 2007. Both the United States and France supported it.
On April 30, 2007, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1754. This resolution urged the parties to "start direct negotiations without conditions and in good faith." It also extended the MINURSO mission until October 31, 2007. Because of this resolution, the parties met in Manhasset, New York. They tried again to solve the dispute. These talks between Morocco and the Polisario Front were the first direct negotiations in seven years. They were seen as a big step in the peace process. Algeria and Mauritania were also there, showing their role in the conflict.
The first round of talks was on June 18–19, 2007. Both sides agreed to talk again on August 10–11. After another round of talks that didn't lead to a clear result, they finally agreed on January 8–9, 2008. They decided on "the need to move into a more intensive and substantive phase of negotiations." Another round of talks was held from March 18 to 19, 2008. But again, no major agreement was reached. Peter van Walsum, the UN Secretary General's envoy, oversaw the negotiations. So far, all talks have failed to solve the dispute.
Peace Talks Continue
In 2018, the United Nations Security Council announced that peace talks about Western Sahara would restart. Delegates from the Polisario Front, Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania would all be present.
In April 2020, the Polisario Front publicly criticized the ongoing peace talks. They said that the lack of action made Morocco's actions in the territory seem acceptable. The statement repeated the Polisario Front's request for the UN to organize a free referendum in Western Sahara. This referendum would be about their self-governing status. Currently, the position of United Nations envoy to Western Sahara is empty. The Security Council is actively looking for a replacement.
On October 6, 2021, United Nations Secretary‑General, António Guterres, announced that Staffan de Mistura would be his Personal Envoy for Western Sahara. On January 13, 2022, De Mistura began discussions with Morocco's Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita. On January 15, 2022, de Mistura met with Polisario's head of political organization, Khatri Addouh, in Shahid Al Hafed.
Current Situation in Western Sahara
Areas Controlled by Polisario
The Polisario controls about 20–25% of Western Sahara. This area is called the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). They claim control over all of Western Sahara. The Polisario Front announced the SADR on February 27, 1976, in Bir Lehlu, Western Sahara. Polisario calls the areas they control the Liberated Territories or the Free Zone. Morocco controls and manages the rest of the disputed territory. Morocco calls these lands its Southern Provinces. The SADR government sees the Moroccan-held territory as occupied. Morocco sees the much smaller SADR-held territory as a buffer zone.
The Polisario Front also has full control over the Sahrawi refugee camps. These camps were set up in Tindouf Province, Algeria, in 1975–76. They were for Sahrawi people fleeing from Moroccan forces during the Western Sahara War. Most refugees still live in these camps. This makes it one of the longest-lasting refugee situations in the world. The refugees themselves manage most of the daily life and organization in the camps. Women have been "responsible for much of the administration of the camps."
The Moroccan Wall
The Western Sahara Berm, also known as the Moroccan Wall, is a defensive structure. It is about 2,700 kilometers long. It is mostly made of sand and runs through Western Sahara and southeastern Morocco. It separates the Moroccan-controlled areas from the Polisario-controlled part of the territory (the SADR). According to maps from MINURSO or the UNHCR, part of the wall goes several kilometers into Mauritanian territory. Pascal Bongard, from Geneva Call, says that between five and ten million land mines have been placed around the wall.
As early as 1979, Moroccan authorities thought about building a defensive wall. It was built in six stages, from 1980 to 1987. Five "gaps" along the wall allow Moroccan troops to pursue enemies. The Polisario calls the Berm the "wall of shame." Morocco calls it a "defensive wall," "wall of sand," or "security wall."
Human Rights Concerns
The Western Sahara conflict has led to serious human rights problems. These include:
- Air attacks with napalm and white phosphorus on Sahrawi refugee camps.
- Tens of thousands of Sahrawi civilians fleeing the country.
- The forced taking of property and expulsion of tens of thousands of Moroccan civilians by the Algerian government. This was in response to the Green March.
The conflict has seen many violations of human rights. There have also been serious breaches of the Geneva Conventions by all sides involved. This includes the Polisario Front, the Moroccan government, and the Algerian government.
More to Explore
In Spanish: Conflicto del Sahara Occidental para niños
- List of modern conflicts in North Africa
- Mohammed VI of Morocco
