Memorandum on the latest developments in Western Sahara

Morocco has illegally occupied part of Western Sahara for more than 47 years, a UN-listed Non-Self-Governing Territory since 1963, in violation of core international law principles and the UN Charter; the ICJ’s 1975 ruling found no historical tie of sovereignty between Western Sahara and Morocco.

The UN, African Union, and EU have not recognized Morocco’s occupation/annexation, which the UN Security Council and General Assembly have repeatedly criticized and described as a continued occupation.

The memorandum argues the dispute remains unresolved due to Morocco’s obstruction and international inaction, including Morocco’s failure to honor the UN–OAU Settlement Plan (accepted in 1988 and approved by the Security Council in 1990–91) and its continued blocking of the agreed referendum on Sahrawi self-determination.