The Occupation of Western Sahara

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

On 31 October 1975, Morocco and Mauritania invaded Western Sahara as Spain (the former colonial power) looked on. The Saharawi people were expelled from their homes by force, including the use of napalm. Most fled to the Algerian desert.

Mauritania withdrew its claim to Western Sahara in 1979 and left. But Morocco stayed. The Saharawi people declared their own Republic in exile, which is now recognised by 60 other states. Yet the world still refuses to uphold international law and bring the Occupation to an end.

The Saharawi liberation movement, known as the Polisario Front, fought the Moroccan army for 16 years, reclaiming a small section of their country. In response Morocco built a 1,000-mile long wall, heavily fortified and mined, which divides the Saharawi refugees from those who still live in the Occupied Territories.

Tens of thousands of Saharawi people still live under Moroccan occupation in Western Sahara. Although Saharawis have ruled out terrorism as a political tactic, their lives and activities are severely constricted by a harsh security state.

The Saharawi flag is banned and speaking out for an independent state is illegal. Merely calling for human rights is enough to get organisations closed down and their leaders imprisoned. Yet Saharawis continue to speak out.

Over 500 Saharawi are still ‘disappeared’ in Moroccan custody, possibly surviving as political prisoners. Many have not been heard from for nearly 30 years. Relatives have been imprisoned and tortured for campaigning to know the truth about their fate.

Saharawi workers face greater exploitation than Moroccan settlers. Those who campaign for independent trade unions have been violently mistreated.

A peaceful demonstration in May 2005 led to harsh repression and an uprising in the Occupied Territories. Demonstrators were arrested in large numbers, some receiving over 10-year prison sentences.

Inside the Western Sahara

From the 64th Assembly of the UNITED NATIONS about the Western Sahara

Saharaouis imprisoned for visiting Western Sahara refugee Camps

Western Sahara activists beaten by Moroccan police on return to Morocco

[MrsAmera 41]

Oh boy.....where are we going with this?

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

Oh boy.....where are we going with this?

The top united nations envoy arrived today in Algeria to discuss the Western Sahara. I wasnt aware I was going anywhere or anyone was going anywhere with this..Its current news that Algeria and Morocco are meeting as we read to discuss the occupation of Western Sahara

Links to the article

Top UN envoy arrives in Algeria to begin talks

Imprisoned Western Sahara ActivistsUN envoy arrives in Algeria for Morocco talks

photos of saharawi protestors battered by Moroccan police

Moroccos Disappeared

[MrsAmera 41]

Well then IMO they should start by questioning the Polisario and Algeria's support of that terrorist organization before laying it heavy on Morocco's "occupation".

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

Well then IMO they should start by questioning the Polisario and Algeria's support of that terrorist organization before laying it heavy on Morocco's "occupation".

I think its all who you ask. The western sahara is the last occupied country on the African continent with people who do not want to be part of Morocco anll its natural resources licensed by Morocco ( fishing rights, mineral rights ) and none of it going to the people of the western sahara. Its all who you ask. Morocco used napalm against the people of western sahara, heavily mining its borders and over 600 people are missing to this day with no trace of their lives remaining.All things aside, they do not want to be part of Morocco, they have been fighting since the 70s for their freedom and their natural resources are being sold off and the UN and the EU are sanctioning Morocco.

None of the natural resources go to help the people of the Western Sahara

Many of Europes Countries are now calling for an end to Morocco's licensing of offshore oil, phosphates and fishing. Morocco also allows Qataris to hunt almost extinct wild life in Morocco. The saharaouis do not want Morocco in the Western Sahara and as a former Spanish colony illegally occupied by Morocco, they should have been given the option of being self destermining and were never allowed that. They have been fighting for their independence since the 70s only to lose one coloniser and gain another.

Western Sahara Resource Watch

There have been over 100 UN resolutions declaring the Western Sahara an independent state. Morocco has ignored all of these.

From Western Sahara Watch

Western Sahara is occupied by Morocco. Entering into deals with Moroccan companies or authorities in the occupied area lends a sign of political legitimacy to the occupation. It also gives job opportunities for Moroccan settlers and income for the Moroccan government.

Western Sahara Resource Watch works in solidarity with the people of Western Sahara. The majority of the country's indigenous population, the Sahrawis, has lived in refugee camps in the Algerian desert since Morocco occupied their homeland in 1975. A part of the Sahrawis remained in the occupied territories, where they are subjected to serious human rights violations, and where they are excluded from the major businesses of phosphate mining and fishing. More than 100 UN resolutions support the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination over their home country, a right that Morocco is denying them.

WSRW today consists of organisations and individuals from more than 30 countries, who together research and campaign the foreign companies involved in the resource rich country. We believe that the occupation of Western Sahara will not stop as long as Morocco profits from it.

Previous campaigns

The organisation Western Sahara Resource Watch started up as an informal network of Western Sahara activists in Scandinavia, Holland and UK in the summer of 2004, to exchange information about the illegal oil industry in Western Sahara.

At that time, a Norwegian seismic survey company, TGS-Nopec, had already finished mapping the sea-floor offshore Western Sahara. Simultaneously, it was known that the Dutch company Fugro, and some of its subsidiaries in the UK did similar seismic work. The exchange of information and the joint elaboration of a campaign to make the companies leave Western Sahara, quickly spread to new countries.

In this initial stage, the network worked under the name International Coalition for the Protection of Natural Resources in Western Sahara. In 2005, that name was changed to the current Western Sahara Resource Watch (WSRW), and a platform consisting of missions, objectives and demands (below) was formulated.

Of the companies that have quit working for Morocco in Western Sahara after pressure from the network are:

-TGS-Nopec (oil, 2002-2003)

-Fugro (oil, 2004)

-Wessex Exploration (oil, 2004)

-Yara (phosphate imports, 2005)

-Thor Offshore (oil, 2005)

-Total (oil, 2004)

-Kerr-McGee (oil, 2006)

-Pioneer Natural Resources (oil, 2006)

-Selfa Arctic (fisheries, 2005)

-Arnesen Shipbrokers (shipping of phosphates, 2007)

The campaign against Kerr-McGee was particularly complex, mobilising shareholders in 30 countries. 8 shareholders divested from the oil firm of ethical reasons, with a total value of some 80 million USD. A large number of churches in the company’s home state, Oklahoma also got involved in the campaign.

In 2006, WSRW established the Fish Elsewhere! campaign, that worked to prevent the European Union to sign a fisheries agreement with Morocco, that would permit fishing boats from the EU to fish in Western Sahara waters. The campaign worked from 20 EU countries, and mobilised 200 EU parliamentarians, and one government to vote against the agreement. Despite the protests from Sahrawi people, the agreement was finally signed by both Morocco and EU. Read more about the campaign here.

the plundering of the phosphate industry

Did you know that Western Sahara has the world’s longest conveyor belt?

From the large Bou Craa phosphate mines, Western Sahara’s phosphates are transported a distance of more than 100 km, ending up in the El Aaiún harbour, Western Sahara’s capital. From there, cargo vessels transport the phosphates to various countries, where they are utilized in fertilizer production. The industry has been providing Morocco with huge incomes since the occupation started.

In 1968 there were 1600 Sahrawis employed in the phosphate industry in what is today occupied Western Sahara. Today, most of them have been replaced by Moroccans that have settled in the territory. The industry now only employs 200 Sahrawis of a total work force of 1900 employees. The Sahrawi employees experience discrimination relative to their Moroccan colleagues. Very few Sahrawis have been promoted since 1975, most have been sacked.

A UN delegation that visited the formerly known Spanish Sahara in 1975, as part of the de-colonialization of the territory, stated that “eventually the territory will be among one of the largest exporters of phosphate in the world” (Shelley 2004:71). According to their assessment, a free Western Sahara would become the second largest exporter, only beaten by Morocco. However, only a few months later, Morocco invaded Western Sahara. Today, the phosphate production in Bou Craa amounts to 10 % of Morocco’s total production. Bou Craa annual production is around 3 million tonnes, contributing substantially to Morocco’s national income.

During the war between Polisario and Morocco during the eighties, damage was inflicted on the mines as well as the conveyor belt system. This caused stoppages from time to time. Attacks on the system ended when ceasefire was agreed in 1991, but on several occasions later, the belt has again been subjected to sabotage, such as September 2007.

In 2005 it was revealed that the Norwegian phosphate giant Yara has imported phosphate from Bou Craa. Accumulated imports to Norway had amounted to 27,000 tonnes during from 1995 to 2005. The company has since declared that it is “….under present circumstances worthwhile to refrain from purchasing phosphate originating from Western Sahara”. In 2007, the Norwegian ship owner, Arnesen Shipbrokers, has renounced from continuing shipments.

WSRW conducts continuous surveillance on Western Sahara phosphate activities, identifying the companies that are involved with the transportation, processing and the marketing of products that have their origin in the Bou Craa mines.

Numerous UN resolutions supports the conclusion that extracting and trading with phosphates from Western Sahara are contrary to international law

The UN declared oil exploration in the Western Sahara illegal since 2002

From Sahara Watch

Oil exploration in Western Sahara is illegal. 29th of January 2002, the UN Under-Secretary General for Legal Affairs, Mr. Hans Corell, wrote to the Security Council that "if further exploration and exploitation activities were to proceed in disregard of the interests and wishes of the people of Western Sahara, they would be in violation of the principles of international law". Download the letter here.

Despite this, Morocco keeps looking for oil. Morocco has today two main partners for the exploration of oil in Western Sahara. The Moroccan state oil company, ONHYM, has given licence for 4 projects.

Onshore

In 2006, ONHYM gave a licence to the Irish oil company Island Oil and Gas, for an area in the north-eastern parts of Western Sahara. The licence was actually given to a group consisting of Island Oil and Gas, San Leon Ltd and LongReach Oil & Gas Ventures (previously GB Oil & Gas Ventures), but Island is in fact the ones behind the deal. This licences has been renewed several times since.

From January 2008, Island Oil and Gas has also had a petroleum agreement for the area around the capital El Aaiun, what ONHYM calls the Tarfaya area.

From 2007, ONHYM has also had a big section onshore along the coast between El Aaiun and Dakhla. Read more about the onshore oil exploration programme here.

Offshore

Kosmos Energy got their first foothold in Western Sahara in October 2004, and has remained since. They now hold a 75% interest in a block offshore Boujdour. Read more about the Kosmos Energy involvement here. From January 2009, Kosmos Energy is carrying out seismic surveys in the Boujdour through the Dutch-Norwegian company Fugro-Geoteam.

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

I think its all who you ask. The western sahara is the last occupied country on the African continent with people who do not want to be part of Morocco anll its natural resources licensed by Morocco ( fishing rights, mineral rights ) and none of it going to the people of the western sahara. Its all who you ask. Morocco used napalm against the people of western sahara, heavily mining its borders and over 600 people are missing to this day with no trace of their lives remaining.All things aside, they do not want to be part of Morocco, they have been fighting since the 70s for their freedom and their natural resources are being sold off and the UN and the EU are sanctioning Morocco.

None of the natural resources go to help the people of the Western Sahara

Many of Europes Countries are now calling for an end to Morocco's licensing of offshore oil, phosphates and fishing. Morocco also allows Qataris to hunt almost extinct wild life in Morocco. The saharaouis do not want Morocco in the Western Sahara and as a former Spanish colony illegally occupied by Morocco, they should have been given the option of being self destermining and were never allowed that. They have been fighting for their independence since the 70s only to lose one coloniser and gain another.

Western Sahara Resource Watch

There have been over 100 UN resolutions declaring the Western Sahara an independent state. Morocco has ignored all of these.

From Western Sahara Watch

Western Sahara is occupied by Morocco. Entering into deals with Moroccan companies or authorities in the occupied area lends a sign of political legitimacy to the occupation. It also gives job opportunities for Moroccan settlers and income for the Moroccan government.

Western Sahara Resource Watch works in solidarity with the people of Western Sahara. The majority of the country's indigenous population, the Sahrawis, has lived in refugee camps in the Algerian desert since Morocco occupied their homeland in 1975. A part of the Sahrawis remained in the occupied territories, where they are subjected to serious human rights violations, and where they are excluded from the major businesses of phosphate mining and fishing. More than 100 UN resolutions support the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination over their home country, a right that Morocco is denying them.

WSRW today consists of organisations and individuals from more than 30 countries, who together research and campaign the foreign companies involved in the resource rich country. We believe that the occupation of Western Sahara will not stop as long as Morocco profits from it.

Previous campaigns

The organisation Western Sahara Resource Watch started up as an informal network of Western Sahara activists in Scandinavia, Holland and UK in the summer of 2004, to exchange information about the illegal oil industry in Western Sahara.

At that time, a Norwegian seismic survey company, TGS-Nopec, had already finished mapping the sea-floor offshore Western Sahara. Simultaneously, it was known that the Dutch company Fugro, and some of its subsidiaries in the UK did similar seismic work. The exchange of information and the joint elaboration of a campaign to make the companies leave Western Sahara, quickly spread to new countries.

In this initial stage, the network worked under the name International Coalition for the Protection of Natural Resources in Western Sahara. In 2005, that name was changed to the current Western Sahara Resource Watch (WSRW), and a platform consisting of missions, objectives and demands (below) was formulated.

Of the companies that have quit working for Morocco in Western Sahara after pressure from the network are:

-TGS-Nopec (oil, 2002-2003)

-Fugro (oil, 2004)

-Wessex Exploration (oil, 2004)

-Yara (phosphate imports, 2005)

-Thor Offshore (oil, 2005)

-Total (oil, 2004)

-Kerr-McGee (oil, 2006)

-Pioneer Natural Resources (oil, 2006)

-Selfa Arctic (fisheries, 2005)

-Arnesen Shipbrokers (shipping of phosphates, 2007)

The campaign against Kerr-McGee was particularly complex, mobilising shareholders in 30 countries. 8 shareholders divested from the oil firm of ethical reasons, with a total value of some 80 million USD. A large number of churches in the company’s home state, Oklahoma also got involved in the campaign.

In 2006, WSRW established the Fish Elsewhere! campaign, that worked to prevent the European Union to sign a fisheries agreement with Morocco, that would permit fishing boats from the EU to fish in Western Sahara waters. The campaign worked from 20 EU countries, and mobilised 200 EU parliamentarians, and one government to vote against the agreement. Despite the protests from Sahrawi people, the agreement was finally signed by both Morocco and EU. Read more about the campaign here.

the plundering of the phosphate industry

Did you know that Western Sahara has the world’s longest conveyor belt?

From the large Bou Craa phosphate mines, Western Sahara’s phosphates are transported a distance of more than 100 km, ending up in the El Aaiún harbour, Western Sahara’s capital. From there, cargo vessels transport the phosphates to various countries, where they are utilized in fertilizer production. The industry has been providing Morocco with huge incomes since the occupation started.

In 1968 there were 1600 Sahrawis employed in the phosphate industry in what is today occupied Western Sahara. Today, most of them have been replaced by Moroccans that have settled in the territory. The industry now only employs 200 Sahrawis of a total work force of 1900 employees. The Sahrawi employees experience discrimination relative to their Moroccan colleagues. Very few Sahrawis have been promoted since 1975, most have been sacked.

A UN delegation that visited the formerly known Spanish Sahara in 1975, as part of the de-colonialization of the territory, stated that “eventually the territory will be among one of the largest exporters of phosphate in the world” (Shelley 2004:71). According to their assessment, a free Western Sahara would become the second largest exporter, only beaten by Morocco. However, only a few months later, Morocco invaded Western Sahara. Today, the phosphate production in Bou Craa amounts to 10 % of Morocco’s total production. Bou Craa annual production is around 3 million tonnes, contributing substantially to Morocco’s national income.

During the war between Polisario and Morocco during the eighties, damage was inflicted on the mines as well as the conveyor belt system. This caused stoppages from time to time. Attacks on the system ended when ceasefire was agreed in 1991, but on several occasions later, the belt has again been subjected to sabotage, such as September 2007.

In 2005 it was revealed that the Norwegian phosphate giant Yara has imported phosphate from Bou Craa. Accumulated imports to Norway had amounted to 27,000 tonnes during from 1995 to 2005. The company has since declared that it is “….under present circumstances worthwhile to refrain from purchasing phosphate originating from Western Sahara”. In 2007, the Norwegian ship owner, Arnesen Shipbrokers, has renounced from continuing shipments.

WSRW conducts continuous surveillance on Western Sahara phosphate activities, identifying the companies that are involved with the transportation, processing and the marketing of products that have their origin in the Bou Craa mines.

Numerous UN resolutions supports the conclusion that extracting and trading with phosphates from Western Sahara are contrary to international law

The UN declared oil exploration in the Western Sahara illegal since 2002

From Sahara Watch

Oil exploration in Western Sahara is illegal. 29th of January 2002, the UN Under-Secretary General for Legal Affairs, Mr. Hans Corell, wrote to the Security Council that "if further exploration and exploitation activities were to proceed in disregard of the interests and wishes of the people of Western Sahara, they would be in violation of the principles of international law". Download the letter here.

Despite this, Morocco keeps looking for oil. Morocco has today two main partners for the exploration of oil in Western Sahara. The Moroccan state oil company, ONHYM, has given licence for 4 projects.

Onshore

In 2006, ONHYM gave a licence to the Irish oil company Island Oil and Gas, for an area in the north-eastern parts of Western Sahara. The licence was actually given to a group consisting of Island Oil and Gas, San Leon Ltd and LongReach Oil & Gas Ventures (previously GB Oil & Gas Ventures), but Island is in fact the ones behind the deal. This licences has been renewed several times since.

From January 2008, Island Oil and Gas has also had a petroleum agreement for the area around the capital El Aaiun, what ONHYM calls the Tarfaya area.

From 2007, ONHYM has also had a big section onshore along the coast between El Aaiun and Dakhla. Read more about the onshore oil exploration programme here.

Offshore

Kosmos Energy got their first foothold in Western Sahara in October 2004, and has remained since. They now hold a 75% interest in a block offshore Boujdour. Read more about the Kosmos Energy involvement here. From January 2009, Kosmos Energy is carrying out seismic surveys in the Boujdour through the Dutch-Norwegian company Fugro-Geoteam.

Morocco has spent 3.5 million lobbying congress about the Western Sahara over the last 3 years ( FARA WATCH)

[MrsAmera 41]

The saddest part of this debate for me is that the people (Sahrawi) are being propped up and "supported" by the Polisario who don't want them to be free either. Their ultimate goal is to have control over that region. Algeria supports the Polisario because it would give them access to the Atlantic Ocean. If tomorrow Morocco gave up possession of the Western Sahara it would be a huge vaccum, because there is no infastructure, no sense of governance or even much industry. They would rely heavily on the outside countries. Without a doubt Algeria would step in and be a new colonial master in the region.

[oldahmed 38]

"Without a doubt Algeria would step in and be a new colonial master in the region. "

What makes you so sure?

[MrsAmera 41]

Algeria supports the Polisario because "freedom" for the W. Sahara = access to the Atlantic for them. Economically, militarily and geographically positioning them better. Algeria has set itself in the eyes of the Sahrawi as an ally and friend, and a seperate country of W. Sahara would never be able to sustain itself without intensive outside assistance. Who do you think will step into that? Algeria, they've been positioning themselves as such. W. Sahara wouldn't accept Morocco or Mauritania in that capacity. Mali and Niger are in no position to offer support either. The only option would be Algeria. And Algeria has always planned on that.

Also, let's remember the Polisario/seperatists have also killed and imprisoned many Moroccan citizens/police/military in this endeavor. Morocco internally struggles with Polisario terrorists recruiting inside Morocco and carrying out small scale attacks.

Edited October 20, 2010 by MrsAmera

[Always+Forever 7]

The saddest part of this debate for me is that the people (Sahrawi) are being propped up and "supported" by the Polisario who don't want them to be free either. Their ultimate goal is to have control over that region. Algeria supports the Polisario because it would give them access to the Atlantic Ocean. If tomorrow Morocco gave up possession of the Western Sahara it would be a huge vaccum, because there is no infastructure, no sense of governance or even much industry. They would rely heavily on the outside countries. Without a doubt Algeria would step in and be a new colonial master in the region.

For starters, I'm still learning about all of this...most of what I know is what I've been told. But how can they have an infastructure & sense of governance as u put it if they haven't had the indepependence to do so? And don't many new or struggling countries "rely heavily on outside countries"?

[MrsAmera 41]

You don't have to be independent to have infastructure...the US South seceded from the Union and they had an infastructure. My point in this argument is that "Independence" for the Western Sahara is not really independence. The Polisario forcibly control the region and are brutal. Algeria backs the Polisario because of the reasons cited above. There are 500,000 people in the Western Sahara...a desert wasteland that happens to have mineral wealth and coastal access. Morocco has offered them autonomy but to remain a part of Morocco, Algeria/Polisario pushes a referendum with independence as an option. Everyone in this argument has an agenda. I certainly feel bad for the Sahrawi because really I don't think anyone in the argument is in favor of what's best for them, or what their wants are even. They are a pawn in this geo-political game.

[oldahmed 38]

You don't have to be independent to have infastructure...the US South seceded from the Union and they had an infastructure. My point in this argument is that "Independence" for the Western Sahara is not really independence. The Polisario forcibly control the region and are brutal. Algeria backs the Polisario because of the reasons cited above. There are 500,000 people in the Western Sahara...a desert wasteland that happens to have mineral wealth and coastal access. Morocco has offered them autonomy but to remain a part of Morocco, Algeria/Polisario pushes a referendum with independence as an option. Everyone in this argument has an agenda. I certainly feel bad for the Sahrawi because really I don't think anyone in the argument is in favor of what's best for them, or what their wants are even. They are a pawn in this geo-political game.

When you said that Algeria will step up as the new colonizer, I expected you to put forward some credible arguments not your own conclusions or what the Moroccan side cites.

"Algeria/Polisario push for a referendum." The referendum was planned even before the Spanish withdrawal bu the UN and the African Union, which Morocco agreed to but has been delaying, and the billions that they invested in the south was to populate the region with people from the north in a case a referendum is enforced.

Some would argue that Algeria having less borders with Morocco is in its advantage because of the Moroccan expansionist agenda (the Greater Morocco).

[MrsAmera 41]

I didn't realize I was presenting a high level analysis here. I think I also clearly stated that neither argument will equal what the Sahrawi want. Algeria has it's own agenda, as does Morocco. The Sahrawi are in the middle of a geo-political game. Just understanding the facts of the condition the Sahrawi are in lead to my comments that of course another country will step up to fill that power vaccum if they attain independence.

[oldahmed 38]

I didn't realize I was presenting a high level analysis here. I think I also clearly stated that neither argument will equal what the Sahrawi want. Algeria has it's own agenda, as does Morocco. The Sahrawi are in the middle of a geo-political game. Just understanding the facts of the condition the Sahrawi are in lead to my comments that of course another country will step up to fill that power vaccum if they attain independence.

Not of a high level (Not that I doubt your ability), but at least something that seems from a neutral source, because I've read about the issue a lot, and this is the first time I've heard about the Algerian aspirations to become the new colonial master. What you're presenting here is the usual Moroccan view.

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

You don't have to be independent to have infastructure...the US South seceded from the Union and they had an infastructure. My point in this argument is that "Independence" for the Western Sahara is not really independence. The Polisario forcibly control the region and are brutal. Algeria backs the Polisario because of the reasons cited above. There are 500,000 people in the Western Sahara...a desert wasteland that happens to have mineral wealth and coastal access. Morocco has offered them autonomy but to remain a part of Morocco, Algeria/Polisario pushes a referendum with independence as an option. Everyone in this argument has an agenda. I certainly feel bad for the Sahrawi because really I don't think anyone in the argument is in favor of what's best for them, or what their wants are even. They are a pawn in this geo-political game.

Morocco did not offer them autonomy. They invaded them. They sent 350000 people on a march and sent settlers in to live much like Israelis did to the Palestinians.

The referendum/autonomy that Morocco is offering the saharaouis is be quiet,we will take your resources, we will not put your leaders in jail, we will hold the beatings of college students and protestors to a minimum. And while we are at it, maybe autonomy will cut into the 3.5 million Morocco has spent lobbying congress to turn their backs on the saharaouis and the over 100 UN resolutions for a free and independent western sahara. How is the polisario more brutal than the Moroccans who threw Napalm on them and imprisoned their leaders, kidnapped members of the leadership and basically made people disappear. In fairness to Morocco, the polisario held Moroccan military hostage for years and years but they in return have missing people and are consistantly subjected to torture and abuse...