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This report was originally published on fondapol.org
For 50 years, the Western Sahara conflict has been pending before the international fora.
In 1975, Morocco claimed sovereignty over this vast desert territory – which had previously been a Spanish colony – as it considered this territory had previously belonged to her. This view is contested by the Polisario Front, an independence movement supported by Algeria. The international community has adopted an ambivalent attitude, accepting the idea that Morocco has violated international law, while at the same time becoming increasingly conciliatory towards Morocco, which exercises de facto sovereignty over the aforementioned regions.
This ambivalence creates a situation that is difficult to understand and untangle.
This report examines the origins of the antagonism between Algeria and Morocco, as well as the geography and history of Western Sahara. It revisits the theory of Moroccan violation through a re-reading of applicable international law. It advocates overcoming the conflict by addressing its root causes.
