In a speech on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the “Green March,” in which hundreds of thousands of Moroccans came out to demand an end to Spanish colonization of Western Sahara, the Moroccan king denounced those he said wanted to “deviate the legal aspects, to serve narrow political goals and exploit the Sahara issue to obtain an outlet to the Atlantic Ocean.” A reference to the Polisario Front, which is in conflict with Morocco over the territory and demands secession, and its ally, Algeria, according to what Reuters reported.
The Moroccan king said: “There are those who demand a referendum despite the United Nations’ abandonment of it and the impossibility of implementing it.”
He also pointed to the increasing international recognition of “the Moroccanity of the Sahara, and the broad support for the autonomy initiative.”
Morocco had organized the peace march in 1975 to reclaim the Sahara, but the Polisario Front took up arms against Morocco, demanding the secession of the region, which is rich in fish and phosphate wealth and is believed to be rich in oil reserves.
The war did not stop until 1991 when the United Nations intervened.
The truce included a promise to hold a referendum, but that never happened due to disagreements over how it would be implemented and who would be allowed to vote.
In 2007, Morocco presented a plan for autonomy in the Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty, and said that this was the most that could be presented in this regard.
Source: Agencies
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**Interview with Dr. Layla Masri, Expert on North African Politics**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Masri. In light of the recent speech by the Moroccan King commemorating the “Green March,” he emphasized the legal and political narrative surrounding Western Sahara, particularly addressing the Polisario Front’s claims and the longstanding demand for a referendum. Do you think Morocco’s assertion of the ‘Moroccanity of the Sahara’ will successfully consolidate international support for its autonomy proposal, or could it provoke more tensions with the Polisario Front and Algeria?
**Dr. Masri:** Thank you for having me. The Moroccan King’s remarks certainly complicate the situation. By framing the international recognition of Moroccan sovereignty as a central theme, Morocco aims to marginalize the Polisario’s narrative, but this could also escalate tensions. The unresolved status of the region and the conflicting claims might further entrench the positions of both sides rather than lead to a resolution.
**Interviewer:** That’s a compelling point. In reference to the King’s comments on the impossibility of a referendum, what are your thoughts on the implications for self-determination in Western Sahara? Is a negotiated settlement still feasible, or has the moment for a referendum effectively passed?
**Dr. Masri:** The ‘impossibility’ of a referendum complicates the self-determination discourse significantly. While many see autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as a sensible compromise, the refusal to entertain a referendum dismisses the aspirations of those who seek outright independence. Therefore, negotiating a settlement that considers both positions becomes critical if progress is to be made.
**Interviewer:** Certainly a delicate balance to strike. Considering the rich natural resources in this region, how might these economic interests shape the dynamics of the conflict moving forward?
**Dr. Masri:** Resource wealth tends to exacerbate conflicts rather than resolve them. Morocco’s emphasis on these resources can be seen as both an incentive and a point of contention—both for the Polisario Front and other stakeholders, including Algeria. As both sides navigate their narratives, these resources may play a pivotal role in influencing political alliances and negotiations.
**Interviewer:** Those are insightful observations, Dr. Masri. As the situation develops, it raises a significant question for our readers: Do you believe that the international community should push for a renewed focus on a referendum to settle the Western Sahara conflict, or should they support Morocco’s autonomy initiative to achieve broader regional stability? We’d love to hear what you think—join the debate!
