Western Sahara, the stalemate
Western Sahara; is a country in North West Africa, where the grand Sahara embraces 1500km of the Atlantic. It is almost half of Sweden. It was fiercely independent until December 1884 when, as a result of the famous Berlin Colonial Conference, the Spanish Government announced, by royal decree, its intention to take possession of Western Sahara.
Despite the fact the United Nations adopted on December 14th 1960 the Resolution 1514 (XV) in a Declaration of granting independence to colonized countries and peoples and included Western Sahara in the list of countries to be decolonized, in December1965, the U.N. General Assembly reaffirmed the Saharawi people inalienable right of self-determination and requested Spain to end its colonial rule, and despite the fact that UN facts finding visiting mission touring the country, witnessed unprecedented pro-Polisario demonstrations (May 12-19/1975) and later reporting that the overwhelming majority of Saharawis want independence and reject the territorial claims of Morocco and Mauritania and besides the fact that in 1975, the International Court of Justice holding its sessions in The Hague on the Western Sahara problem published its verdict excluding by proofs any Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and that its people are entitled to self-determination; Spain the 100 year former colonizer of the territory handed Western Sahara over illegally to the neigbouring countries, Morocco and Mauritania in the shameful “Madrid Agreement” of 14th October 1975.
Since then, the Saharawi people struggle with pride and abnegation for freedom, dignity and independence. It has been now more than 121 years of colonial yoke among which thirty years under the Moroccan brutal occupation.
Due to huge concessions made by the Saharwi people and the Polisario Front, in April 1991, the UN General Assembly approves the Secretary-General's referendum plan, establishing Mission of the United Nations for the Organization of a Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) and in April 29th, the UN Security Council Resolution 690 approves the establishment of MINURSO. September 6th was set as a Provisional date for the cease-fire.
Unfortunately, on December 19th, Perez de Cuéllar proposes changes to voters criteria, viewed as a capitulation to Moroccan demands by allowing the introduction of thousands of Moroccans into the vote lists, people who have nothing to do with the territory. He was later offered a high position in a huge Moroccan company as a service render. Due to this derailment, the referendum has never taken place since.
More concessions and sacrifices were again made by the Saharawi people and the Polisario Front, as in March 17th, 1997 , American James Baker III installed as United Nations Special Representative in Western Sahara when he, in June 11-12 holds first talks with both sides separately in London followed by June 23-25 First official face-to-face talks held between Morocco and Polisario in Lisbon concluded by September famous Houston Accords, which was apparently considered as breaking the impasse. Morocco rejected again.
As the UN and the International Community intensify their efforts to reach a peaceful and just solution to the conflict, Morocco goes ahead in its intransigent policy, rejecting thus all possible ways to put end to Africa last colony dispute. In parallel, the Polisario Front made more concessions, previously considered impossible, so as in January 2003, James Baker announces the "new Baker Plan", the Peace Plan for Self-Determination of the People of Western Sahara. It describes a proposed Western Sahara Authority to administer the territory autonomously until the holding of a referendum in 2007 or in 2008. In a surprise move, the Polisario accepts the document as a basis of negotiations; Morocco stalls for several months, but eventually rejects the plan, stating that the kingdom will no longer accept independence as one of the ballot options. Baker resigned and reported to the UN the Moroccan attitude and intransigence as main obstacle.
The UN and the International Community put no pressure on Morocco to hounour its engagements regarding the peace Plan, but contrary, the EU has just concluded a fishing agreement with the Moroccan regime which includes the water of Western Sahara in a fragrant violation to the International law concerning the non-self-governing territory which Western Sahara figured among them since 1963 and this despite of the advisory opinion of the UN under-secretary for legal Affairs which stipulates clearly that the above concluded agreement is a violation of the International law in forces.
The Saharwi people who have been patiently waiting for thirty years in one of the most inhospitable places on earth has no other option except continuing the struggle until one day either the Moroccan regime or the International Community wakes up. So on May 25th 2005, as a celebration of the anniversary of the proclamation of the armed struggle in Western Sahara, an intifada (or uprising) begins in the whole territory. A new phase of the struggle of the people of Western Sahara starts and is again on trails for freedom, dignity and independence.
Western Sahara; is a country in North West Africa, where the grand Sahara embraces 1500km of the Atlantic. It is almost half of Sweden. It was fiercely independent until December 1884 when, as a result of the famous Berlin Colonial Conference, the Spanish Government announced, by royal decree, its intention to take possession of Western Sahara.
Despite the fact the United Nations adopted on December 14th 1960 the Resolution 1514 (XV) in a Declaration of granting independence to colonized countries and peoples and included Western Sahara in the list of countries to be decolonized, in December1965, the U.N. General Assembly reaffirmed the Saharawi people inalienable right of self-determination and requested Spain to end its colonial rule, and despite the fact that UN facts finding visiting mission touring the country, witnessed unprecedented pro-Polisario demonstrations (May 12-19/1975) and later reporting that the overwhelming majority of Saharawis want independence and reject the territorial claims of Morocco and Mauritania and besides the fact that in 1975, the International Court of Justice holding its sessions in The Hague on the Western Sahara problem published its verdict excluding by proofs any Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and that its people are entitled to self-determination; Spain the 100 year former colonizer of the territory handed Western Sahara over illegally to the neigbouring countries, Morocco and Mauritania in the shameful “Madrid Agreement” of 14th October 1975.
Since then, the Saharawi people struggle with pride and abnegation for freedom, dignity and independence. It has been now more than 121 years of colonial yoke among which thirty years under the Moroccan brutal occupation.
Due to huge concessions made by the Saharwi people and the Polisario Front, in April 1991, the UN General Assembly approves the Secretary-General's referendum plan, establishing Mission of the United Nations for the Organization of a Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) and in April 29th, the UN Security Council Resolution 690 approves the establishment of MINURSO. September 6th was set as a Provisional date for the cease-fire.
Unfortunately, on December 19th, Perez de Cuéllar proposes changes to voters criteria, viewed as a capitulation to Moroccan demands by allowing the introduction of thousands of Moroccans into the vote lists, people who have nothing to do with the territory. He was later offered a high position in a huge Moroccan company as a service render. Due to this derailment, the referendum has never taken place since.
More concessions and sacrifices were again made by the Saharawi people and the Polisario Front, as in March 17th, 1997 , American James Baker III installed as United Nations Special Representative in Western Sahara when he, in June 11-12 holds first talks with both sides separately in London followed by June 23-25 First official face-to-face talks held between Morocco and Polisario in Lisbon concluded by September famous Houston Accords, which was apparently considered as breaking the impasse. Morocco rejected again.
As the UN and the International Community intensify their efforts to reach a peaceful and just solution to the conflict, Morocco goes ahead in its intransigent policy, rejecting thus all possible ways to put end to Africa last colony dispute. In parallel, the Polisario Front made more concessions, previously considered impossible, so as in January 2003, James Baker announces the "new Baker Plan", the Peace Plan for Self-Determination of the People of Western Sahara. It describes a proposed Western Sahara Authority to administer the territory autonomously until the holding of a referendum in 2007 or in 2008. In a surprise move, the Polisario accepts the document as a basis of negotiations; Morocco stalls for several months, but eventually rejects the plan, stating that the kingdom will no longer accept independence as one of the ballot options. Baker resigned and reported to the UN the Moroccan attitude and intransigence as main obstacle.
The UN and the International Community put no pressure on Morocco to hounour its engagements regarding the peace Plan, but contrary, the EU has just concluded a fishing agreement with the Moroccan regime which includes the water of Western Sahara in a fragrant violation to the International law concerning the non-self-governing territory which Western Sahara figured among them since 1963 and this despite of the advisory opinion of the UN under-secretary for legal Affairs which stipulates clearly that the above concluded agreement is a violation of the International law in forces.
The Saharwi people who have been patiently waiting for thirty years in one of the most inhospitable places on earth has no other option except continuing the struggle until one day either the Moroccan regime or the International Community wakes up. So on May 25th 2005, as a celebration of the anniversary of the proclamation of the armed struggle in Western Sahara, an intifada (or uprising) begins in the whole territory. A new phase of the struggle of the people of Western Sahara starts and is again on trails for freedom, dignity and independence.
