The Polisario Front, fighting for Western Sahara’s independence, has vowed to escalate military operations as Morocco seeks to consolidate control of the disputed region with backing from the United States and France.
Morocco has accelerated green energy, tourism, and infrastructure initiatives in the resource-rich territory, which it considers an integral part of the kingdom. These developments, supported by US and French recognition of Moroccan sovereignty, are rejected by the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which resumed conflict in 2020.
“The continued support from Paris and the possibility of another Trump presidency will embolden Morocco and force the Sahrawi people to intensify their struggle for self-determination,” said Mohamed Liman Ali, ambassador for the Sahrawi Republic to Kenya.
Western Sahara, a mineral-rich expanse of desert and Atlantic coastline larger than the UK, has been contested since Morocco annexed it in 1975 following Spain’s withdrawal. A UN-brokered ceasefire in 1991 ended a war that claimed around 9,000 lives, but the truce collapsed in 2020.
Morocco’s claim over the territory gained momentum when the US formally recognized its sovereignty during Donald Trump’s administration. This recognition came as Morocco restored ties with Israel. Spain followed suit in 2022, and France joined this year, prompting outrage from Algeria, which hosts 170,000 Sahrawi refugees.
Economic Aspirations Amid Conflict
Morocco, buoyed by international recognition and new diplomatic ties, is advancing plans to transform the southern city of Dakhla into a global shipping hub, part of a broader strategy to leverage the region’s economic potential. However, tensions with Algeria over the territory risk escalating into conflict, according to the International Crisis Group.
“While US diplomacy has so far maintained peace between Morocco and Algeria, rising hostilities in Western Sahara, disinformation campaigns, and a bilateral arms race could trigger further instability,” warned the group in a recent report.
Polisario continues to claim regular attacks on Moroccan forces stationed along the sand berm known as the “wall of shame,” which Morocco built to protect its control over 80% of the territory.
International Disputes
Ambassador Ali also criticized Ryanair’s upcoming flights between Dakhla and Spain, asserting that Morocco lacks the authority to approve such activities in the disputed territory. Ryanair, however, maintains that its operations comply with all regulations.
Despite increasing international recognition of Morocco’s claim, Ali dismissed suggestions that Sahrawi aspirations for independence are waning.
“The conflict’s resumption has brought greater global attention to the issue and underscored the need for a resolution for regional peace and stability,” Ali said. “The struggle will continue until the Sahrawi people can freely and democratically determine their future.”