A company with deep ties to the Moroccan royal business network has embarked on a significant new project in the disputed region of Western Sahara. Construction Management Services (CMS), a Moroccan engineering and construction firm closely associated with royal interests, has entered into a strategic collaboration with China XD Electric, a Chinese state-owned powerhouse in the electricity sector. This partnership aims to develop high-voltage infrastructure in Boujdour, a key area within the occupied territory.
The recent agreement marks a strategic move as Morocco accelerates the expansion of its electricity transmission network in Western Sahara. This initiative is largely driven by the increasing production of wind energy in regions such as Boujdour, Dakhla, and Bir Anzarane. The newly established infrastructure is set to facilitate the transmission of electricity generated in these areas into Morocco's broader electrical grid, thereby integrating the occupied territory more closely into Morocco's national energy framework.
CMS is well-acquainted with the dynamics of the occupied territory, having previously engaged in developments related to Morocco's wind-power initiatives in Boujdour. Renowned for its close connections to the Moroccan royal business sector, CMS is led by Zouhair Fassi Fehri, who has a background as a royal steward and previously headed Primarios, a subsidiary of Siger, the private holding company overseeing the King’s personal business interests. The company has also secured contracts from Al Mada, the expansive royal commercial conglomerate associated with Siger.
On August 30, China XD Electric publicly confirmed the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement with CMS, which includes a supply contract for 400 kV reactors and 225 kV transformers specifically designed for the Boujdour project. However, details regarding the contract's financial value and the ultimate ownership of the project remain undisclosed. Reports suggest that China XD is actively exploring additional opportunities in high-voltage electricity infrastructure, pumped-storage power solutions, and data center establishments in the region.
China XD Electric is a key player within the China Electrical Equipment Group, a prominent state-owned industrial conglomerate in China. It positions itself as a major producer of high- and ultra-high-voltage transmission and distribution equipment. Erik Hagen from Western Sahara Resource Watch (WSRW) commented on the situation, stating, "This is yet another example of how the Moroccan royal business network is becoming directly involved in the economic development of occupied Western Sahara. Infrastructure built to connect and expand energy production in the occupied territory cannot be separated from Morocco's attempt to economically integrate the territory it occupies."
The involvement of CMS and China XD Electric raises critical questions about the ethical implications of conducting business in Western Sahara while respecting the Saharawi people's right to self-determination. The region is classified as a Non-Self-Governing Territory, and the United Nations does not recognize Morocco's claims of sovereignty over it. WSRW maintains that business activities that bolster Morocco's integration and exploitation of the occupied territory are fundamentally at odds with the Saharawi people's right to self-determination.
As reported by wsrw.org.
