Western Sahara Conflict: Polisario front Accuses Morocco of Obstructing Decolonization
Tensions remain high in Western Sahara following the Polisario Front’s renewed accusations against Morocco for obstructing the territory’s decolonization. In a statement released by the Sahrawi Press Service (SPS), the Polisario declared that Morocco’s actions, coupled with a perceived lack of international action, have perpetuated the conflict adn undermined the 1991 ceasefire agreement.
“The decolonization of Western Sahara is still not completed due to the obstruction of Morocco, the occupying power, combined with the inaction of the international community,” the Polisario statement asserted. “This has caused the occupying power not only in its illegal occupation of parts of Western Sahara, but also in its violations and sabotage of the 1991 ceasefire agreement.” The group further blamed the “moroccan military invasion and occupation of the area in 1975” as a primary impediment to decolonization.
The conflict intensified after the Polisario Front declared a breach of the ceasefire on November 13, 2020, citing a Moroccan military operation in a southern buffer zone. the operation, aimed at repairing a road blocked by independence fighters, is viewed by the Polisario as a catalyst for the current instability. “The breaking of the ceasefire led to ‘the collapse of the UN-mediated peace process’ and ‘plunged the region into a new spiral of violence and instability’,” the polisario statement explained.
The Polisario Front is calling for increased UN involvement to facilitate the decolonization of Western Sahara. Thay insist on “the free and democratic exercise of the inalienable,non-negotiable and non-terminable right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination and independence.”
Adding fuel to the fire, the Polisario Front criticizes the support of the Spanish and French governments for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara. The Polisario views this as a betrayal, highlighting Spain’s continued legal status as the administrative power over the region.
The ongoing conflict in Western sahara has important implications for regional stability and international relations. the situation underscores the need for renewed diplomatic efforts to find a lasting solution that respects the self-determination rights of the Sahrawi people. The United States, along with other key international players, faces the challenge of navigating this complex geopolitical landscape and promoting a peaceful resolution.
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