Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic: Controversy, Self-Determination, and the UN Perspective

The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) is a disputed territory located in the westernmost part of the Saharan desert. It is a region steeped in controversy, with the principles of self-determination and sovereignty at the heart of the issue. The SADR’s controversy dates back to the mid-20th century when decolonization across Africa led to territorial disputes. Formerly a Spanish colony known as Spanish Sahara, the region was thrust into uncertainty in 1975 when Spain withdrew. The Madrid Accords, signed by Morocco, Mauritania, and Spain, divided the region between Morocco and Mauritania. However, this move was met with resistance by the indigenous Sahrawi people, who declared the formation of the SADR under the leadership of the Polisario Front, a nationalist movement advocating for Sahrawi self-determination.

The ensuing conflict, known as the Western Sahara War, lasted until 1991.Despite a ceasefire agreement, the region’s status remains unresolved. Morocco controls the majority of Western Sahara, including all the major cities and natural resources, while the SADR, backed by the Polisario Front, governs the easternmost parts, mainly uninhabited desert. Self-determination refers to the right of a people to determine its own destiny, including political status and economic, social, and cultural development. This principle, enshrined in the United Nations Charter and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, has been a pillar of the Sahrawi people’s struggle. The Sahrawi argue they have the right to self-determination and have long sought a referendum to decide their future. However, the specifics of who would be eligible to vote in such a referendum have been a sticking point in negotiations, with Morocco insisting on the inclusion of settlers it has moved into the territory since the 1970s. The UN’s involvement in the Western Sahara dispute dates back to 1963 when it included the territory in its list of Non-Self-Governing Territories. In 1975,the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion stating that the people of Western Sahara have the right to self-determination. Despite this, the UN has been unable to facilitate a political solution acceptable to both parties. The UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) was established in1991 to monitor the ceasefire and organize a referendum on the future of the territory. However, the referendum has been continually postponed due to disagreements over voter eligibility and other issues. The UN continues to call for a peaceful and mutually acceptable solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. However, progress has been slow, and the situation remains one of the world’s most protracted and least visible disputes. In conclusion, the issue of the SADR is deeply complex, rooted in historical grievances, geopolitical interests, and differing interpretations of the right to self-determination. Despite the ongoing impasse, the UN remains committed to finding a peaceful resolution. The Sahrawi people’s struggle underscores the importance of upholding the principles of self-determination.

By Roberto Casseli