In 1975, following the International Court of Justice ruling rejecting Moroccan claims to Western Sahara and categorically ruling that the Sahrawi people are entitled to self-determination. Morocco invaded the territory in violation of international law, forcing thousands of Sahrawi to flee the territory and take refuge in neighboring Algeria. After 16 years of armed conflict between Morocco and the POLISARIO Front ( the sole representative of the people of Western Sahara), the two parties entered into a ceasefire agreement in 1991. According to the agreement, a referendum on independence in Western Sahara was to take place in 1992.
To this day, thousands still live in the desert, relying on international aid for their daily survival. That has continuously been reduced in recent years, making it more difficult to sustain adequate living conditions.
While the refugees south West of Algeria face food shortages and struggle to sustain necessary living conditions, Morocco, with the help of countries and international companies, illegally exploits the territory’s natural resources. They are, furthermore, prolonging the people of Western Sahara’s suffering.
In addition to the illegal exploration and exploitation of the territory’s natural resources, the Sahrawi people living under the Moroccan occupation live in a nightmare of human rights violation perpetrated by the Moroccan police. Many Saharawi civil rights activists are subject to the harshest treatment, including imprisonment and disappearance. Many continue to face house arrest for voicing their opinions. This oppression and media blockage has intensified since the war broke on 13th November 2020.
On 13th November 2020 and after 30 years of ceasefire, due to the lack of action or progress by the United Nations, and the illegal plunder of the territory’s natural resources, the ceasefire came to an end.
Particularly when Moroccan troops crossed the demilitarized zone attacking civilians demonstrators, they protested for weeks the illegal route (Guergarat) that carries stolen goods from Western Sahara to Africa.
Today marks the 45th anniversary of the proclamation of the Sahrawi Arabic Democratic Republic (SADR); in this day, the people of Westen Sahara celebrate their resistance and their resilience against the colonization and occupation, reminding the world that their struggle to a free and independent Western Sahara under the SADR leadership is the only way forward.
We at SAUSA would like to take this moment to remind the people of Western Sahara that they are not alone and that the sacrifices paid by 45 years of struggle and exile will not go in vain. And congratulate the people on the 45th year of a Just Cause struggle.
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