Independence leader: Wall won’t stop Western Sahara fight
3 years, 2 months ago

Independence leader: Wall won’t stop Western Sahara fight

Associated Press  

DAJLA REFUGEE CAMP, Algeria — The leader of the Western Sahara independence movement says that fighting with Morocco will continue across a long wall cutting through Africa’s vast desert until the international community delivers on an unfulfilled promise of self-determination for the Saharawi people. The United Nations considers Western Sahara as Africa’s last territory to be decolonized, but its envoys have failed to set the stage for a referendum on its future since a ceasefire was signed 30 years ago between Morocco, which had annexed it in 1975, and the independence-seeking Polisario Front. In a rare public appearance following a long convalescence for COVID-19 this year, Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali on Tuesday defended his movement’s decision in November 2020 to call off the 1991 ceasefire. “There will be neither peace, nor stability, nor a just and lasting solution to the Moroccan-Saharawi conflict unless the U.N. Security Council assumes its responsibilities in responding frankly and firmly to the aggressive and expansionist practices of the Moroccan occupying power,” Ghali said in a speech to hundreds of Saharawis at the Dajla refugee camp in Algeria’s southern Tindouf province.

Western Morocco Polisario Western Sahara Moroccan Ghali Dajla Saharawi Conflict  moroccan  western  united  independence  wall  morocco  sahara  stop  ghali  wont  dajla  saharawi  conflict  polisario  fight  leader

History of this topic

UN extends mandate for UN peacekeepers in Western Sahara, with Algeria protesting over human rights
1 month, 3 weeks ago

UN extends mandate for UN peacekeepers in Western Sahara, with Algeria protesting over human rights

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

EU top court rules that agreements with Morocco failed to include Western Sahara's consent
2 months, 2 weeks ago

EU top court rules that agreements with Morocco failed to include Western Sahara's consent

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

France shifts Western Sahara stance, seeking closer ties with Morocco
4 months, 3 weeks ago

France shifts Western Sahara stance, seeking closer ties with Morocco

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy France has recognized Morocco's sovereignty …

France shifts Western Sahara stance, seeking closer ties with Morocco
4 months, 3 weeks ago

France shifts Western Sahara stance, seeking closer ties with Morocco

Associated Press  

RABAT, Morocco — France has thrown its support behind Morocco’s autonomy plan for the disputed Western Sahara, shifting a decades-old position and adding itself to a growing list of countries to align with Morocco as a United Nations-mediated peace process remains stalled. In a letter to King Mohammed VI, France’s President Emmanuel Macron called the plan that Morocco proposed in …

A UN envoy has made his first visit to Western Sahara. He pledged to advance the political process
1 year, 3 months ago

A UN envoy has made his first visit to Western Sahara. He pledged to advance the political process

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations doubled down on its pledge to revive stalled negotiations over the disputed Western Sahara during a visit to the region this week in which its top negotiator met with officials on all sides before the release of a highly anticipated U.N. report next month. The visit was Staffan de Mistura’s first to the Western …

A UN envoy has made his first visit to Western Sahara. He pledged to advance the political process
1 year, 3 months ago

A UN envoy has made his first visit to Western Sahara. He pledged to advance the political process

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Israel recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara
1 year, 5 months ago

Israel recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara

Associated Press  

JERUSALEM — Israel announced Monday it was recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, joining the United States as the only countries to acknowledge the kingdom’s annexation of the disputed north African territory. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said recognition of Western Sahara as Moroccan territory “will strengthen relations between the countries and the nations” and advance regional stability. In exchange …

Israel recognises Western Sahara as part of Morocco
1 year, 5 months ago

Israel recognises Western Sahara as part of Morocco

Al Jazeera  

Morocco claims sovereignty over territory, but other countries back separatist movement. Israel has recognised Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara, the Moroccan government and a statement from the Israeli prime minister’s office say. A statement from Morocco’s royal palace said Israel’s position was expressed in a letter to King Mohammed VI from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. …

Morocco links Israel embassy to W Sahara recognition: Report
1 year, 11 months ago

Morocco links Israel embassy to W Sahara recognition: Report

Al Jazeera  

Israel has refused to engage on the issue, despite Moroccan demands, reports Axios. Morocco has demanded that Israel recognise its sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara before Rabat opens an embassy in Tel Aviv, the news outlet Axios has reported, citing four current and former Israeli officials involved in the matter. The two countries established low-level diplomatic relations …

UN urges revival of negotiations on disputed Western Sahara
2 years, 1 month ago

UN urges revival of negotiations on disputed Western Sahara

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council called for a revival of U.N-led negotiations on the disputed Western Sahara in a resolution adopted Thursday that expressed “deep concern” at the breakdown of the 1991 cease-fire between Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front whose decades-old dispute shows no sign of ending. The resolution calls on the parties to resume U.N.-led negotiations …

Can the Western Sahara conflict be resolved?
2 years, 6 months ago

Can the Western Sahara conflict be resolved?

Al Jazeera  

Algeria cuts trade and diplomatic links with Spain after Madrid endorses Morocco’s plan for disputed region. The disputed region of Western Sahara in northwestern Africa is straining ties between Algeria and Spain. In March, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez angered Algeria when he joined a growing number of countries endorsing Morocco’s plan to give the region some autonomy. Presenter: Nick …

Spain PM in Morocco to mend ties after Western Sahara shift
2 years, 8 months ago

Spain PM in Morocco to mend ties after Western Sahara shift

Associated Press  

RABAT, Morocco — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez traveled to Rabat on Thursday to meet with Moroccan King Mohammed VI seeking to mark the end of diplomatic tensions centered on Morocco’s disputed region of Western Sahara. The mood did not improve until last month, when Sánchez took the surprising decision that angered many of his political allies back home to …

Algeria recalls Spain envoy over Western Sahara policy change
2 years, 9 months ago

Algeria recalls Spain envoy over Western Sahara policy change

Al Jazeera  

On Friday, Spain said it backed a 2007 proposal by Morocco to offer Western Sahara autonomy under its sovereignty. Algeria has recalled its ambassador from Madrid in protest at Spain’s decision to back a Moroccan autonomy plan for the disputed former Spanish colony of Western Sahara. A statement carried by Algeria’s official media on Saturday condemned the “abrupt about-turn” by …

Spain changes stance, backs Moroccan rule in Western Sahara
2 years, 9 months ago

Spain changes stance, backs Moroccan rule in Western Sahara

Associated Press  

MADRID — Spain on Friday declared “a new stage” in its strained relations with Morocco after the Spanish prime minister wrote to the Moroccan king, agreeing that having Western Sahara operate autonomously under Rabat’s rule is “the most serious, realistic and credible” initiative for resolving a decades-long dispute over the vast African territory. Over the years, the Spanish government’s official …

UN envoy visits Western Sahara camps in new peace push
2 years, 11 months ago

UN envoy visits Western Sahara camps in new peace push

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The U.N. envoy for the …

UN envoy starts new effort to broker deal on Western Sahara
2 years, 11 months ago

UN envoy starts new effort to broker deal on Western Sahara

Associated Press  

RABAT, Morocco — A United Nations diplomat newly tasked with reviving stalled negotiations for a settlement to the decades-old Western Sahara conflict met with Moroccan officials Thursday during his first visit to the region. U.N. envoy to Western Sahara Staffan De Mistura held talks in the capital Rabat with Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and the country’s U.N. ambassador. Morocco’s Foreign …

Morocco ready to restore diplomatic ties with Germany
2 years, 11 months ago

Morocco ready to restore diplomatic ties with Germany

Associated Press  

RABAT, Morocco — Morocco says it is ready to restore diplomatic cooperation with Germany, apparently thanks to a perceived shift in position toward the disputed Western Sahara. Morocco halted diplomatic cooperation with Germany earlier this year and recalled its ambassador over Germany’s stance on the Sahara question, notably in the aftermath of the U.S. decision. “These announcements make it possible …

Morocco’s king says Western Sahara status not up for debate
3 years, 1 month ago

Morocco’s king says Western Sahara status not up for debate

Al Jazeera  

Mohamed VI says the disputed territory is ‘not negotiable’ amid rising tensions with Polisario, neighbouring Algeria. Morocco’s King Mohamed VI has said that Western Sahara is “not negotiable”, as tensions flared with Algeria over the disputed territory. Speaking on Saturday, the 46th anniversary of the Green March by 350,000 Moroccans into Western Sahara in 1975, the king said: “Today as …

UN urges talks on Western Sahara after cease-fire breakdown
3 years, 1 month ago

UN urges talks on Western Sahara after cease-fire breakdown

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council extended the U.N. peacekeeping mission in the disputed Western Sahara for a year on Friday, expressing concern at the breakdown of the 1991 cease-fire between Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front and calling for a revival of U.N.-led negotiations. The resolution calls on the parties to resume U.N.-led negotiations without preconditions, “taking into …

Youth yearning for independence fuel Western Sahara clashes
3 years, 2 months ago

Youth yearning for independence fuel Western Sahara clashes

Associated Press  

MAHBAS REGION, Western Sahara — As a glowing sun sank behind the sandy barrier that cuts across the disputed territory of Western Sahara, Sidati Ahmed’s battalion launched two missiles that sizzled through the air and then followed with an artillery attack. “Low-intensity hostilities,” as a recent United Nations report describes them, have raged for the past year along the 2,700-kilometer …

Court annuls EU-Morocco deals over Western Sahara policies
3 years, 2 months ago

Court annuls EU-Morocco deals over Western Sahara policies

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Union’s general court on Wednesday annulled the 27-country bloc’s approval of agriculture and fishing agreements that allow Morocco to export goods from Western Sahara. The ruling could damage the EU’s relationship with Morocco, although the court said the effects of the 2019 agreements would be maintained over a certain period “to preserve the European Union’s external …

Algeria cuts diplomatic ties with ‘hostile’ Morocco
3 years, 3 months ago

Algeria cuts diplomatic ties with ‘hostile’ Morocco

The Hindu  

Algeria’s Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra said on Tuesday that his country has severed diplomatic relations with Morocco due to “hostile actions”, following months of resurgent tensions between the North African rivals. The countries have long accused one another of backing opposition movements as proxies, with Algeria’s support for separatists in the Western Sahara a particular bone of contention for Morocco. …

Algeria cuts diplomatic ties with Morocco over ‘hostile actions’
3 years, 4 months ago

Algeria cuts diplomatic ties with Morocco over ‘hostile actions’

Al Jazeera  

Algeria’s Foreign Minister Ramdane Lamamra accuses Rabat of ‘hostile actions’ as Algiers breaks ties with its neighbour. Algeria is cutting diplomatic relations with Morocco, Foreign Minister Ramdane Lamamra said, accusing its neighbour of “hostile actions”. “Algeria has decided to cut diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Morocco from today,” Lamamra said at a news conference on Tuesday. “The incessant hostile …

Algeria recalls envoy to Morocco in row over Western Sahara
3 years, 5 months ago

Algeria recalls envoy to Morocco in row over Western Sahara

Al Jazeera  

Algeria’s foreign ministry says the move is linked to comments made by Morocco’s UN envoy on Algeria’s Kabylie region. The Algerian foreign ministry has recalled its ambassador to Morocco and hinted at possible further measures in the latest flareup of tension between the North African neighbours over the disputed territory of Western Sahara. The move was linked to comments from …

Why Biden’s Western Sahara policy remains under review
3 years, 6 months ago

Why Biden’s Western Sahara policy remains under review

Al Jazeera  

Former United States President Donald Trump shocked many observers when, in December of last year, his administration broke with years of international consensus to recognise Morocco’s claim to the disputed territory of Western Sahara. “At the same time he’s been getting pressure from bipartisan members of Congress who are concerned about the rather dangerous precedent it sets.” Trump’s recognition Morocco, …

Western Sahara independence chief leaves Spain for Algeria
3 years, 6 months ago

Western Sahara independence chief leaves Spain for Algeria

Associated Press  

MADRID — The leader of a movement seeking independence from Morocco who is at the center of a diplomatic row flew out of Spain to Algeria, arriving in the middle of the night before being taken to an Algerian military hospital Wednesday. Brahim Ghali was released from a hospital in northern Spain following more than six weeks of treatment after …

Western Sahara independence chief testifies in Spanish court
3 years, 6 months ago

Western Sahara independence chief testifies in Spanish court

Associated Press  

MADRID — The leader of a movement seeking independence from Morocco testified Tuesday in a Spanish investigation into allegations against him of torture, genocide and other crimes. Brahim Ghali appeared before an investigating magistrate at the National Court in Madrid via videoconference from a hospital in Logroño, a northern Spanish city where the 71-year old was hospitalized last month after …

Morocco wants investigation into Polisario chief’s Spain arrival
3 years, 7 months ago

Morocco wants investigation into Polisario chief’s Spain arrival

Al Jazeera  

Spain’s decision to host Polisario Front leader Ghali without telling Rabat has strained relations between the two countries. Morocco has urged Spain to open an investigation into the circumstances of a Western Sahara independence leader’s arrival in the country for medical treatment and explain its findings to Rabat. Spain’s decision to host Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali without telling Rabat …

US diplomat visits Western Sahara after Morocco-Israel deal
3 years, 11 months ago

US diplomat visits Western Sahara after Morocco-Israel deal

Al Jazeera  

David Schenker’s visit comes ahead of the expected opening of provisional US consulate in the contested desert region. A top United States envoy has visited contested Western Sahara after Washington recognised Morocco’s sovereignty there in exchange for Rabat normalising ties with Israel. Western Sahara is a disputed and divided former Spanish colony, mostly under Morocco’s control, where tensions with the …

Sahrawis betrayed again as Trump bats for Morocco
3 years, 11 months ago

Sahrawis betrayed again as Trump bats for Morocco

The Hindu  

IN his latest transactional deal just weeks before leaving office, United States President Donald Trump persuaded Morocco to establish diplomatic relations with Israel. Trump tweeted on December 10 that he had recognised Moroccan sovereignty over western Sahara and that “our two GREAT friends, Israel and Morocco, have agreed to full diplomatic relations”. Within days of Trump’s announcement, the U.S. government …

Western Sahara conflict in 500 words
4 years ago

Western Sahara conflict in 500 words

Al Jazeera  

As part of the Israel-Morocco deal, the Trump administration agreed to recognise Morocco’s sovereignty over disputed territory of Western Sahara. As part of the agreement announced on Thursday, Trump agreed to recognise Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara, where there has been a decades-old dispute with Morocco pitted against the Polisario Front. How the conflict began The …

US recognised Morocco’s claim to Western Sahara. Now what?
4 years ago

US recognised Morocco’s claim to Western Sahara. Now what?

Al Jazeera  

Recognition bolsters the kingdom’s claim to the territory, but experts say it will not affect UN or EU positions. In its proclamation, the Trump administration said it hoped its recognition of Morocco’s claim to Western Sahara would spur discussions to resolve the conflict in line with what is known as the Moroccan autonomy plan. But he added: “I don’t think …

‘Doesn’t serve Palestinians’: Israel-Morocco to normalise ties
4 years ago

‘Doesn’t serve Palestinians’: Israel-Morocco to normalise ties

Al Jazeera  

How the world reacted to announcement that Morocco will normalise relations with Israel in US-brokered deal. “Any Arab retreat from the Arab Peace Initiative, which stipulates that normalisation comes only after Israel ends its occupation of Palestinian and Arab lands, is unacceptable and increases Israel’s belligerence and its denial of the Palestinian people’s rights,” al-Salhi said. The Israeli occupation uses …

Israel, Morocco to normalize ties; US shifts W Sahara policy
4 years ago

Israel, Morocco to normalize ties; US shifts W Sahara policy

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Israel and Morocco have agreed to normalize relations as President Donald Trump, in his final weeks in office, announced the fourth Arab-Israeli agreement in four months on Thursday. In a related major policy shift, the United States agreed to recognize Morocco’s claim over the long-disputed Western Sahara region as part of the deal. Trump said Israel and Morocco …

Disputed Western Sahara is in spotlight after US decision
4 years ago

Disputed Western Sahara is in spotlight after US decision

Associated Press  

The disputed territory of Western Sahara was central to a deal announced by President Donald Trump on Thursday establishing diplomatic ties between Morocco and Israel. Here is some background on the region: LAND AND PEOPLE Western Sahara stretches along Africa’s Atlantic coast south of the Moroccan resort city of Agadir, and borders Algeria and Mauritania. Some countries recognize Western Sahara …

Morocco Latest to Recognise Israel; Trump Son-in-Law Kushner Says 'Inevitability' That Saudis Will Do Too
4 years ago

Morocco Latest to Recognise Israel; Trump Son-in-Law Kushner Says 'Inevitability' That Saudis Will Do Too

News 18  

US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Morocco is now the fourth Arab state this year to recognize Israel in a diplomatic breakthrough that Trump tweeted that “Israel and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to full diplomatic relations – a massive breakthrough for peace in the Middle East!” The White House said Trump and Morocco’s King Mohammed VI spoke …

The failed diplomacy between Morocco and Polisario
4 years, 1 month ago

The failed diplomacy between Morocco and Polisario

Al Jazeera  

The call was scheduled in advance on November 13 at 18:00 GMT. “ operation breached the ceasefire agreement, it wasn’t us that conducted a military operation,” said Sidi, referring to the crossing of the Moroccan army past the Berm, a 2,700km sand wall that separates areas controlled by Polisario and Morocco in Western Sahara. The recent violence in Western Sahara …

UN chief vows to do utmost to keep Western Sahara cease-fire
4 years, 1 month ago

UN chief vows to do utmost to keep Western Sahara cease-fire

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ramped up efforts Friday to try to get Morocco and pro-independence supporters in disputed Western Sahara to step back from a renewed flare up of fighting, warning that the clashes could rupture a nearly 30-year cease-fire and have “grave consequences.” In recent days, Guterres and other U.N. officials have been working the phones …

Morocco troops launch operation in Western Sahara border zone
4 years, 1 month ago

Morocco troops launch operation in Western Sahara border zone

Al Jazeera  

Rabat says it will ‘restore free circulation of civilian and commercial traffic’ between Moroccan-controlled areas of the disputed territory and neighbouring Mauritania. The pro-independence Polisario Front declared a three-decade-old ceasefire in disputed Western Sahara was over after Morocco launched an operation to reopen the road to neighbouring Mauritania. Morocco said its troops have launched an operation in a no man’s …

Discover Related