Western Sahara

Western Sahara is a non-self-governing territory located in north-western Africa.

It is often called "Africa's last colony." This is because it has not yet achieved full independence from colonial rule. The territory consists mainly of vast, flat desert land. It is the most sparsely populated territory in Africa. In fact, it is the second most sparsely populated territory in the world, following Greenland. Approximately 600,000 inhabitants live in this region.

The history of the region involves many different groups of people. The earliest known inhabitants were the Gaetuli. Later, Roman-era sources described tribes such as the Gaetulian Autololes or the Daradae. Berber heritage remains visible today through regional place-names and tribal identities. Over time, Berber-speaking populations merged with migrating Beni Ḥassān Arab tribes. This process of acculturation created a unique culture in the Maghreb. The arrival of Islam in the 8th century also shaped the region. The territory likely served as a route for trade caravans. These caravans traveled between Marrakesh and Tombouctou in Mali.

Spain established colonial control over the region in 1884. This happened following the Berlin Conference, where European powers divided Africa into spheres of influence.

Initially, Spain focused on using the coast for the slave trade. By the 1700s, they shifted their economic activity toward commercial fishing. Spain struggled to control the interior for many years. Indigenous Saharan populations conducted raids and rebellions against Spanish forces. In 1934, Spanish and French forces subdued the area. The Spaniards then divided their territories into two regions. These were named Saguía el-Hamra and Río de Oro.

Spanish rule began to end during the global wave of decolonization. Internal political pressures grew in mainland Spain during the rule of Francisco Franco. In 1974 and 1975, the Spanish government promised a referendum on independence. However, Morocco and Mauritania also claimed sovereignty over the territory. They argued the land had been artificially separated by colonial powers. The United Nations attempted to settle these disputes. The International Court of Justice issued a verdict in 1975. The court acknowledged historical links to Morocco and Mauritania. However, it ruled these links did not prove sovereignty. The court stated the people had a right to self-determination.

In November 1975, Morocco initiated the "Green March." This involved 350,000 unarmed Moroccans marching toward the border. At the same time, Moroccan troops invaded from the north. Spain signed a tripartite agreement to transfer administration to Morocco and Mauritania. Morocco took the northern two-thirds, while Mauritania took the southern third. The Polisario Front resisted these annexations through guerrilla warfare. They proclaimed the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). This government currently operates in exile in Tindouf, Algeria. Mauritania eventually withdrew its claims in 1979 due to pressure from the Polisario Front.

Today, the territory is divided by a physical barrier. Morocco maintains the Berm, which is a long wall lined with land mines.

This wall splits the territory into two controlled zones. Morocco occupies approximately 70% of Western Sahara. This includes all major cities and most natural resources. The Polisario Front controls the remaining 30% of the land. A UN-sponsored ceasefire was reached in 1991. This ceasefire was overseen by the MINURSO mission. However, a planned referendum to decide the territory's future has stalled.

The stalemate over the referendum involves complex disagreements. The United Nations originally planned the vote for 1992. The vote would allow citizens to choose independence or integration with Morocco. Negotiations have failed to produce substantive action since then. Both sides disagree on who is qualified to vote. The Polisario Front wants to use the 1974 Spanish Census lists. Morocco argues that the 1974 census was flawed by evasion. Morocco seeks to include members of Sahrawi tribes who moved north in the 19th century. In 1999, the UN identified about 85,000 potential voters. Many of these voters live in refugee camps or in exile.

The political situation involves various international supporters. The Polisario Front is primarily supported by Algeria. The SADR has received partial international recognition and is a member of the African Union.

Conversely, Morocco is supported by France and the United States. In the 2020s, several states began expressing support for Morocco's autonomy proposal. This ongoing dispute remains a central issue in North African politics and international law.