The issue of Western Sahara transcends borders and the interests of the powerful, representing a struggle deeply rooted in historical truth, justice, international law, and the fundamental principle that no people should be oppressed against their will. This situation is not merely an anti-colonial and anti-imperialist concern; it encapsulates a broader fight for the dignity and rights of a people long denied their autonomy.
The Legal Framework: An Ongoing Debt to History
Western Sahara remains on the United Nations' list of non-self-governing territories to this day. It was included in 1963, and since that time, the international community has recognized Spain as the de jure administering power of the region. The UN General Assembly, in its Resolution 2072 of 1965, asserted that Spain should guide Western Sahara toward political emancipation; however, this process has faced significant interruptions over the decades.
The so-called Madrid Accords of 1975, signed in the twilight of Franco's regime, failed to transfer sovereignty or alter the international legal status of the territory. In 2002, the UN's legal advisor reiterated that Spain could not unilaterally determine its status as the administering power or transfer sovereignty over the area—a stance echoed by Spain's National Court in 2014. Yet, the promised referendum for self-determination has yet to materialize. Established in 1991, the MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara) was tasked with organizing this consultation, but more than thirty years later, the Sahrawi people still await their chance to vote.
Political Betrayal and the Struggle for Justice
Spain's abandonment of its responsibilities has not only left a power vacuum but has also transferred authority to an entity with no legitimate claim. On November 9, 1975, King Juan Carlos I, appointed by Franco and aligned with the Moroccan monarch Hassan II, consented to cede Western Sahara to Morocco. This act was neither a majority decision nor one of consultation; rather, it was a disgraceful handover that condemned an entire population to occupation.
Fast forward fifty years, and history seems to be repeating itself. In a controversial move, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez altered Spain's long-standing neutral stance without consulting Parliament or the Spanish populace, endorsing the Moroccan autonomy plan as the "most serious, realistic, and credible" basis for a solution. This shift has been interpreted by many analysts as a gradual alignment with Moroccan positions. Furthermore, a recent administrative agreement signed in December 2025, which transfers educational administration at the Spanish school La Paz in El Aaiún to Morocco, exemplifies this capitulation.
Morocco has recognized the weaknesses within the Spanish monarchy and its governments, knowing what it wants and how to achieve it, while Spanish authorities appear directionless. The subjugation to U.S. interests and fear of the Moroccan monarchy, compounded by bribery and corruption, has resulted in a erratic, fearful policy that lacks a robust defense of Spain’s sovereignty and dignity.
In the broader geopolitical landscape, Morocco operates in alliance with Western powers and Israel, leveraging its territorial ambitions based on dubious historical claims. The Trump administration's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in December 2020, in exchange for normalization of relations with Israel, exemplifies a troubling trend where regions still under colonial rule are bartered like commodities in international negotiations. This alliance has emboldened Morocco, allowing it to exert pressure while simultaneously impoverishing its own populace through exploitative practices.
In the face of these colonial and neo-colonial forces, the Polisario Front remains resolute. Recognized by the UN and the African Union as the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people, the Polisario Front is not merely another faction in a territorial dispute; it embodies the legitimate voice of a people striving for self-determination. Historical resolutions have affirmed its status, and the overwhelming majority of African nations recognize the Polisario Front as the rightful representative of the Sahrawi cause.
Moreover, the struggle of the Sahrawi people is emblematic of a broader anti-imperialist fight against the usurpation of resources by global powers. Western Sahara is rich in phosphates, fish, hydrocarbons, and other invaluable resources, yet its occupation prevents local exploitation, with these riches being offered to multinational corporations and foreign interests instead.
The colonial narrative is not a relic of the past; it persists in various forms, as seen in the ongoing situation in Western Sahara. The international community has a moral and legal obligation to uphold UN resolutions and support the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination. Spain, as the administering power, cannot evade its responsibilities or hide behind disreputable agreements. The Sahrawi people deserve the autonomy to decide their future, and the world must stand with them in the pursuit of justice, international law, and the sovereignty of all peoples.
As reported by elciudadano.com.
