The largest prison in the world: landmines, walls, UXOs and the UN’s role in the Western Sahara

The largest prison in the world: landmines, walls, UXOs and the UN’s role in the Western Sahara

Pablo San Martín and Joanna C. Allan argue that landmines and military walls have turned Western Sahara into a huge prison. After Spain withdrew in 1975, Morocco’s occupation displaced about half of the Sahrawi population, and Morocco went on to build six walls, more than 2,700 km long in total, guarded by large numbers of troops and surrounded by minefields.

The authors draw on the testimony of landmine survivors, estimates of seven to ten million mines, and a MINURSO figure that around 40 percent of the territory is affected by mines or unexploded ordnance. They contrast Polisario’s 2005 commitment under the Geneva Call and its destruction of its stockpiles with Morocco’s refusal to sign the Ottawa Treaty, and they describe the clearance work of Landmine Action UK east of the wall. They also criticise UN Secretary-General reports for overstating MINURSO’s role and leaving out Polisario’s cooperation.

They conclude that the situation cannot go on. They call for pressure on Morocco to join the Ottawa Treaty, for mine clearance west of the wall with independent access, and for the UN either to organise a self-determination referendum or to withdraw.

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