Why is there a dispute over control of Western Sahara?
The conflict originated from an insurgency by the Polisario Front against Spanish colonial forces from 1973 to 1975 and the subsequent Western Sahara War against Morocco between 1975 and 1991. The conflict escalated after the withdrawal of Spain from the Spanish Sahara in accordance with the Madrid Accords.
Who claims Western Sahara?
Western Sahara, formerly the Spanish colony of Spanish Sahara, is a disputed territory claimed by both the Kingdom of Morocco and the Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro (Polisario Front), which is an independence movement based in Algeria.
What is the status of Western Sahara?
Sovereignty over Western Sahara is contested between Morocco and the Polisario Front and its legal status remains unresolved. The United Nations considers it to be a “non-self-governing territory”. Formally, Morocco is administered by a bicameral parliament under a constitutional monarchy.
What language is spoken in Western Sahara?
Arabic
Western Sahara/Official languages
Is the Sahara safe?
SAHARA IS VERY SAFE FOR TRAVELERS I never faced any serious danger since then. Also, many people confuse Sahara Desert with Western Sahara. They are very different actually. We usually recommend our travelers to go at erg Chebbi dunes, near Merzouga.
What is the official language of Western Sahara?
Western Sahara/Official languages
The Moroccan constitution stipulates two official languages for the Kingdom of Morocco, including Western Sahara: Berber (Tamazight) and Arabic.
Who is the leader of Western Sahara?
| President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic | |
|---|---|
| Coat of arms of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic | |
| Incumbent Brahim Ghali since 12 July 2016 | |
| Residence | Sahrawi refugee camps, Tindouf, Algeria |
| Term length | No term limit |
Who is involved in the dispute in Western Sahara?
United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon, left, arrives for a meeting with the Polisario Front’s representative at the U.N. in Bir-Lahlou, in the disputed territory of Western Sahara, March 5. The region has been mired in a protracted dispute between Morocco and the Polisario Front that is backed by Algeria.
What was the conflict between Morocco and Western Sahara?
The conflict in Western Sahara was a dispute between Western Sahara (Frente Polisario) and Morocco which constitutes a big threat to regional stability after decolonization in 1975 by Spanish powers.
What did Spain do about the Western Sahara?
When Spain announced plans to hold a referendum in early 1975, King Hassan II of Morocco announced that Morocco could not accept a referendum that included the option of independence and proposed arbitration by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to decide the precolonial legal status of the territory.
Are there legal ties between Morocco and Western Sahara?
General Assembly adopts first resolution calling for Spain to decolonize Western Sahara. International Court of Justice finds no evidence of legal ties of territorial sovereignty between Western Sahara and Morocco. Green March of 350,000 Moroccans into Western Sahara.