Introduction: A Peculiar Blank Spot on World Maps
Look at global data maps on topics like GDP, population density, or access to electricity, and you might notice a peculiar blank spot in Northwestern Africa labeled “No Data.” This area is Western Sahara, and it’s not a coincidence that it’s left out of global datasets.
Western Sahara is at the center of one of the world’s longest-running territorial disputes. Controlled largely by Morocco but claimed by the indigenous Saharawi people, the region remains mired in conflict. Beyond its political complexity, the territory’s rich resources and strategic location make it a hotbed for international interest and tension.
This article delves into the historical roots, ongoing disputes, and future implications of Western Sahara’s contested status.
A Land Without a Country
Western Sahara spans 266,000 square kilometers, roughly the size of the United Kingdom, but it is not a recognized sovereign nation. The region is claimed by two opposing forces:
- Morocco: Controls 80% of the territory, calling it the “Southern Provinces.”
- The Polisario Front: A Saharawi nationalist movement advocating for an independent Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), recognized by 46 UN member states and backed by Algeria.
These opposing claims have fueled decades of conflict, with a dividing wall—the Berm—separating the two factions.
The Berm: The World’s Longest Military Wall
- Built by Morocco in the 1980s.
- Spans 2,700 kilometers, filled with millions of landmines.
- Separates Moroccan-controlled areas from Polisario-controlled desert zones.
The Historical Context of the Conflict
Colonial Roots
The origins of the dispute trace back to the Berlin Conference of 1884, when European powers divided Africa among themselves. Spain claimed what was then called Spanish Sahara, governing the region until the mid-20th century.
The Green March
In 1975, Morocco orchestrated the Green March, where 350,000 unarmed Moroccan civilians crossed into Spanish Sahara, asserting territorial claims. Facing pressure and instability, Spain ceded the territory to Morocco and Mauritania, ignoring the Saharawi people’s demands for independence.
A War for Independence
The Polisario Front, supported by Algeria, launched a guerilla war against Morocco and Mauritania. While Mauritania withdrew in 1979, Morocco fortified its control.
The 1991 Ceasefire
A UN-brokered ceasefire ended large-scale fighting, with promises of an independence referendum for the Saharawi people. Over three decades later, the referendum remains unfulfilled.
Why Is Western Sahara Blank on Maps?
The unresolved nature of Western Sahara’s status has significant implications for how the region is represented on global maps:
- Non-Self-Governing Territory:
- The UN classifies Western Sahara as a “non-self-governing territory.”
- Morocco’s control is considered an illegal occupation under international law.
- Data Collection Challenges:
- Restricted access limits data collection.
- Morocco prohibits human rights monitoring in the region, contributing to an information black hole.
- Political Neutrality:
- Many international organizations avoid acknowledging sovereignty, leaving the region “blank” to sidestep political disputes.
The Geopolitical Stakes
Western Sahara’s strategic and economic importance complicates the conflict further:
1. Phosphate Reserves
Western Sahara contains some of the world’s largest phosphate deposits, crucial for synthetic fertilizers and modern agriculture. Morocco, already the world’s second-largest phosphate producer, benefits significantly from Western Sahara’s resources.
2. Energy Potential
The region’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) along the Atlantic coast is believed to hold rich offshore natural gas reserves. Morocco has partnered with international companies, including an Israeli firm, to explore these resources.
3. Trade Routes
Western Sahara is a critical corridor for proposed energy projects, such as a $25 billion natural gas pipeline connecting West Africa to Europe.
Diplomatic Dynamics
The Western Sahara conflict divides international opinion:
Countries Supporting Morocco:
- United States: Recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2020 in exchange for Morocco normalizing relations with Israel.
- France and Spain: Recently expressed support for Morocco’s autonomy plan, further isolating Algeria and the Polisario Front.
Countries Supporting SADR:
- Algeria: The Polisario Front’s primary backer, hosting Saharawi refugees and providing military aid.
- Russia and Iran: Have voiced support for Algeria’s stance, complicating Morocco’s Western-backed diplomacy.
The Risk of Escalation
The conflict remains a powder keg, with both Morocco and Algeria engaged in an escalating arms race:
- Morocco’s Military:
- Increased defense budget nearly fourfold since 2019.
- Acquired advanced weapons from the U.S. and Israel, including F-16 jets and MQ-9 Reaper drones.
- Algeria’s Military:
- Allocated $25 billion to defense in 2025, sourcing arms from Russia and China.
- Hosts the Polisario Front’s leadership in Tindouf Province.
Potential Flashpoints
- Buffer Zone Attacks: Polisario fighters frequently launch attacks from Algeria into Moroccan-controlled areas.
- Drone Strikes: Morocco’s use of drones has targeted Polisario fighters and, controversially, Algerian trucks, raising fears of a direct confrontation.
What Lies Ahead?
The Moroccan Autonomy Plan
Morocco proposes granting Western Sahara autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, a plan backed by the U.S., France, and Spain.
Polisario’s Referendum Demand
The Polisario Front insists on a referendum that excludes Moroccan settlers, a non-starter for Morocco.
A Partition Proposal
A UN envoy suggested partitioning Western Sahara between the warring parties, but both sides rejected the idea outright.
FAQs: Understanding the Western Sahara Conflict
Q1: Why is Western Sahara not a recognized country?
The territory’s sovereignty is disputed between Morocco and the Polisario Front. The Saharawi people’s demand for independence remains unresolved.
Q2: Why is Western Sahara important to Morocco?
Western Sahara’s phosphate reserves, offshore energy potential, and strategic location make it economically and geopolitically valuable.
Q3: What is the Polisario Front?
The Polisario Front is a Saharawi nationalist movement fighting for Western Sahara’s independence as the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).
Q4: What is the role of Algeria in the conflict?
Algeria supports the Polisario Front, hosting Saharawi refugees and providing military aid, in opposition to Morocco’s territorial claims.
Q5: How can the conflict be resolved?
Proposals range from autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty to a UN-mandated independence referendum. However, both sides remain deeply entrenched in their positions.
