Conflict resolution in Western Sahara

Conflict resolution in Western Sahara

Andreu Solà-Martín compares what Western governments say about democracy in North Africa with what they do about Western Sahara. The Bush administration’s “forward strategy of freedom” and the EU’s Barcelona Process promised support for democratic reform, but in Western Sahara the same governments have chosen to contain the conflict through the UN mission MINURSO. In his view this protects their strategic and economic ties with Morocco and Algeria while leaving the Sahrawis’ grievances unaddressed.

His evidence includes the delayed publication of the 2005 Arab Human Development Report after it criticised Arab regimes, James Baker’s remarks linking Morocco’s position to the War on Terror, and US counter-terrorism programmes in the Sahel that expanded security cooperation with the region’s governments. He also points to divisions in the EU, France’s backing for Morocco, Spain’s shifting position at the UN, the concessions Polisario made on voter identification and Morocco’s 2007 autonomy plan.

Solà-Martín concludes that containment has frozen the conflict and entrenched Moroccan control. He calls for a move back towards a self-determination referendum with African Union support, a new MINURSO mandate with a human rights role, and a more active diplomatic stance from the EU and Spain.

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