The decades-long struggle for Western Sahara independence continues to stir international debate, as Saharawi leaders and activists reaffirm their demands for self-determination amid shifting global alliances.
In an exclusive interview with Salaamedia on Wednesday, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) Foreign Minister H.E. Mohamed Yeslem Beissat issued a clarion call:
“Morocco needs to face the reality at hand and be consistent with the reality on the ground. Saharawis exist and they are determined, stubborn, and resilient. We are there on our land. We will fight for our legitimate rights. Western Sahara belongs to its people, to the people of Western Sahara and only the people of Western Sahara can speak about the future of Western Sahara.”
Stalled Referendum, International Pressure
The quest for Western Sahara independence, once buoyed by United Nations (UN) support for a referendum, is now at a crossroads. The UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), established in 1991 to oversee a self-determination vote, has failed to deliver on its mandate, leaving the region in limbo and fuelling Saharawi frustration.
Recent years have seen a pronounced diplomatic shift. The United States has unequivocally recognised Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, calling Morocco’s autonomy proposal the “sole, realistic solution”. Spain and France have followed suit, further isolating the Saharawi cause on the international stage.
SMread: Gunmen Kill 26 in Kashmir Attack
AU Credibility and Human Rights Concerns
Critics argue that Morocco’s ongoing occupation not only undermines international law but also erodes the African Union’s credibility. Veronica Mente, writing in IOL, contends that allowing Morocco to remain in the AU while occupying Western Sahara “sends a dangerous message that political expediency and economic interests trump fundamental principles of justice and human rights”.
Reports from international organizations continue to document systematic human rights abuses in the occupied territories, including restrictions on freedom of expression, arbitrary detentions, and torture. Thousands of Saharawi refugees remain in camps in Algeria, enduring harsh conditions and ongoing displacement.
SMread: Millions at Risk as WFP Suspends Nutrition Aid in Ethiopia
Saharawi Resolve Amid Fatigue and Division
Despite the mounting challenges, the quest for Western Sahara independence remains central to Saharawi identity and political aspiration. Foreign Minister Beissat’s remarks reflect a deep-rooted resistance:
“If Morocco wants Western Sahara, it must ask the Saharawis through regular, organised, concrete referendum of self-determination. Otherwise, they will keep going around and repeating the same propaganda that can win them a week, a month, or a year, but cannot solve their problem.”
However, analysts note a flagging of international grassroots support for the Saharawi cause, with some African and Western governments now favoring Morocco’s autonomy plan over outright independence. The UN’s official position remains that only a referendum can determine the territory’s status, but diplomatic momentum appears to be shifting toward a negotiated autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty—a stance rejected by Saharawi leaders.
SMread: Gaza Crumbles, Yet Doctors Run Toward the Fire
The Road Ahead
As the independence movement faces diplomatic setbacks, Saharawi leaders and supporters continue to insist that only the people of Western Sahara can decide their future. The struggle remains a litmus test for international commitment to self-determination and human rights.
Whether the world will heed the Saharawi call for a referendum or consolidate around Morocco’s autonomy plan could shape the fate of the territory for generations to come.
Image: The Economist
