While much of the world’s attention focuses on high-profile conflicts, one decades-old territorial dispute in northwest Africa continues to simmer—Western Sahara.
Despite its size and strategic position along the Atlantic, this vast desert region remains unresolved, deeply contested, and mostly overlooked.
The Colonial Legacy That Sparked the Conflict
Western Sahara is a stretch of land bordering Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania, home to around 620,000 people, mostly Sahrawis.
It was originally colonised by Spain in 1884 but things changed drastically in 1975, when Spain exited the region under the Madrid Accords.
Control was handed to Morocco and Mauritania—but crucially, sovereignty wasn’t.
This power vacuum led to Morocco’s annexation of the area and the emergence of a Sahrawi independence movement known as the Polisario Front.
Who Controls What in Western Sahara?
Today, Morocco maintains control over 70–80% of the territory, while the Polisario Front administers the remaining portion and has declared it the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).
The United Nations still classifies Western Sahara as Africa’s last remaining non-self-governing territory, meaning it’s officially awaiting decolonisation and a public referendum on its future.
Hundreds of thousands of Sahrawis, meanwhile, live as refugees in camps near Tindouf, Algeria, under harsh conditions.
Their political leadership, including Polisario leader Brahim Ghali, continues to advocate for an independent Sahrawi state.
Morocco’s Autonomy Plan Gains Global Support
Morocco, however, is pushing forward with its own vision for the region.
In 2007, it proposed a compromise: give Western Sahara autonomy, but still under Moroccan rule.
Since then, the plan has slowly gained traction on the international stage.
France threw its support behind the plan in July 2024, joining the likes of the United States and United Kingdom, who had already backed it.
Most recently, Ghana voiced strong support, calling it “the only viable solution.”
The UK even went a step further, signing a joint statement with Morocco endorsing the plan as “credible and pragmatic.”
Morocco has also claimed growing backing from countries including Kenya and Guatemala.
Still, the UN holds firm that the region’s status remains unresolved.
Polisario and Algeria Refuse to Back Down
While Morocco celebrates diplomatic wins, opposition remains fierce.
Algeria—a key regional rival—backs the Polisario Front and hosts tens of thousands of Sahrawi refugees.
The Polisario insists that nothing short of a UN-led referendum on independence is acceptable.
In July 2025, they reaffirmed their commitment to the 1991 UN-African Union Settlement Plan, which includes the option for full independence.
Meanwhile, tensions inside the refugee camps have grown, with some Sahrawis pushing for internal reform within the Polisario leadership.
Algeria’s anger was further fueled when France supported Morocco’s plan, prompting it to recall its ambassador in protest.
At the same time, international courts and rights organisations have weighed in, often raising concerns about Morocco’s actions on the ground.
Human Rights and Environmental Violations Raise Alarm
Beyond the politics, serious human rights and environmental issues are unfolding in Western Sahara.
Morocco has ramped up its phosphate mining and renewable energy projects, especially solar and wind—but critics say these ventures largely exclude local Sahrawis and lack proper legal consent.
A recent report from the Sahrawi Observatory (SONREP) accused Morocco of developing green hydrogen projects that worsen water scarcity and sidestep international law.
Foreign companies from France, China, and the UAE are reportedly involved in these developments, all without clear approval from the Sahrawi people.
On the human rights front, the picture is troubling. There have been allegations of arbitrary arrests, torture, and the suppression of dissent.
Morocco has also been accused of demolishing Sahrawi homes to make space for new energy and infrastructure.
Notably, the UN has limited access to the region due to Moroccan restrictions, raising concerns about lack of oversight.
What Should the World Do Now?
The fight over Western Sahara is far from over. As Morocco gains support for its autonomy plan, the Sahrawi people and the Polisario Front remain firm in their call for independence through a free and fair vote.
With international diplomacy, legal battles, and human rights concerns all in play, the big question remains:
Should the world support Sahrawi independence—or accept Morocco’s plan for autonomy?