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98 results found
Items 1 - 50 of 98
Western Sahara
| 1 May 2013
Polisario Front 17 April issued statement denying jihadis from Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) have entered Sahrawi refugee camps. Human Rights Watch 17 April called on UNSC to task UN with monitoring rights violations in Western Sahara and in refugee camps around Tindouf, Algeria; following U.S. demand that MINURSO mandate be expanded to carry out “monitoring and reporting of human rights”, Morocco called off military exercises with U.S., engaged in intense lobbying against UN mission’s rights mandate at UNSC; 23 April MINURSO resolution now encourages “enhanced efforts and progress on human rights”.
Western Sahara
| 1 Apr 2013
French media 4 March reported Polisario Front fighters captured in Mali following battle with AQIM “emir” Abou Zeid. UN SGSR Ross 20 March visited Western Sahara, hoping to “end current impasse”. Polisario leader Mohamed Abdelaziz 16 March said Saharawi people will continue peaceful fight for independence, resume armed struggle “if necessary”.
Western Sahara
| 1 Mar 2013
UNHCHR and rights organisations 19 Feb expressed concern about fairness of trial of Sahrawis who participated in riots at Gdeim Izik camp in 2010; after 2 years of pre-trial detention, military court handed out prison terms for 24 detainees ranging from time served to life in prison. Prisoners reiterated claim they were tortured in prison; Amnesty International called for retrial, investigation of torture allegations.
Western Sahara
| 1 Dec 2012
Security forces 3 Nov violently dispersed demonstration in Smara calling for self-determination, 10 injured. UN envoy Christopher Ross met with pro-independence Sahrawi activist Aminatou Haidar and members of Sahrawi parliament in exile, urged UNSC resolution to crisis.
Western Sahara
| 1 Oct 2012
11 Sahrawi detainees in Laayoune’s “black jail” 1 Sept initiated hunger strike in solidarity with detainee held in solitary confinement. Polisario Front, Moroccan govt, MINURSO 16 Sept held 3rd meeting in Geneva to evaluate progress on implementation of confidence-building measures; U.S. Sec State Clinton 14 Sept restated U.S. support for Moroccan “Autonomy Plan for Sahara”.
“Un rapport dénonce un ‘climat de peur’ au Sahara occidental”, Le Monde, 4 Sept. 2012.
Western Sahara
| 1 Sep 2012
UNSG Ban late Aug stressed his confidence in UN envoy Christopher Ross, said will not cede to Morocco’s May 2012 demands for replacement. Security forces 25 Aug violently dispersed demonstration in Laayoune, several injured. Moroccan FM Saad Dine El Othmani 10 Aug said Polisario aided by Qadhafi arms, money.
Western Sahara
| 1 Jul 2012
Spanish FM Garcia-Margallo 20 June urged UN special envoy on Western Sahara Christopher Ross to engage with “central issues” surrounding disputed territory, called for lasting solution within framework of UNSC resolutions. UNSG Ban 17 June named Wolfgang Weisbrod-Weber new MINURSO head.
Western Sahara
| 1 Jun 2012
Morocco 17 May said UN Western Sahara envoy Ross biased, criticised April UN report accusing Morocco of spying on MINURSO. Human Rights Watch (HRW) 15 May denounced authorities’ failures to investigate Nov 2010 police beating of HRW researcher investigating human rights violations.
Western Sahara
| 1 May 2012
UNSC late-month renewed MINURSO peacekeeping mandate for 1 year; South Africa criticised UNSC for “conveniently ignoring” human rights abuses. Leaked report by UNSG Ban on last round of failed negotiations implied Morocco spying on MINURSO, said UN interaction with local population hindered by authorities.
Western Sahara
| 1 Mar 2012
UN 24 Feb announced it would host further negotiations 11-13 March between Polisario Front, Moroccan govt
Western Sahara
| 2 Jan 2012
Polisario Front’s security agency 15 Dec reportedly detained 11 suspects in 22 Oct kidnapping of 3 aid workers in southern Algeria.
Western Sahara
| 1 Dec 2011
UN Western Sahara Envoy Christopher Ross toured capitals of countries included in so-called “Group of Friends of Western Sahara” in attempt to solve deadlocked talks between Polisario Front and Morocco.
Western Sahara
| 1 Nov 2011
Peace efforts between Morocco and Polisario Front suspended after UN envoy 27 Oct unable to organise new talks. 11 people sentenced 12 Oct for up to 1 year in prison for involvement in Sept football riots in Dakhla.
Western Sahara
| 1 Oct 2011
At least 7 killed, including 2 police officers, 25 Sept in clashes in Dakhla; authorities claim violence followed football riot.
Western Sahara
| 1 Aug 2011
Eighth round of UN-mediated informal negotiations 20-21 July between Morocco and Polisario Front failed to reach agreement.
Western Sahara
| 1 Jul 2011
No progress in seventh round of unofficial, UN-brokered talks between Polisario Front and Morocco 7 June in New York; UN Envoy Ross said both sides continued to reject other’s proposal as sole basis of negotiations.
Western Sahara
| 1 May 2011
UNSC 27 Apr extended mandate of MINURSO for 1 year. Polisario Front 19 Apr criticised UNSG Ban’s report to UNSC on disputed territory for not providing human rights role for MINURSO.
Western Sahara
| 1 Apr 2011
Sixth round of talks between Polisario Front and Moroccan govt 8-9 March in Malta under aegis of UN, no signs of progress; sides agreed to meet again late May. U.S. Sec State Clinton 23 March reiterated support for Moroccan autonomy plan in disputed territory.
Western Sahara
| 1 Mar 2011
Violent clashes 26 Feb in Dakhla
between local Sahrawis and Moroccan youths; at least 2 killed. Morocco FM Taieb
Fassi Fihri 15 Feb said Algeria
and Polisario Front may use political upheavals in Arab countries to stir
unrest. Representatives from Polisario Front, Moroccan govt 9-10 Feb discussed
humanitarian conditions at Tindouf refugee camps at Geneva meeting.
Western Sahara
| 1 Feb 2011
New round of UN-brokered talks between Polisario Front and Moroccan govt 21-23 Jan stalled over basic issue of disputed territory’s future status; agreed to new round of talks in March
Western Sahara
| 3 Jan 2011
Rights group 24 Dec said more than 150 people remain in detention following Nov police raid on protest camp near Laayoune, accused authorities of torture (see Morocco).
Western Sahara
| 1 Dec 2010
Violence broke out 8 Nov following Moroccan security forces raid on protest camp housing some 15,000 outside main town of Laayoune. Morocco reported 13 killed including 11 members of security forces; Polisario Front 9 Nov said more than 36 Saharawis killed, 723 injured and 159 missing. UNSC 16 Nov condemned clashes but declined to authorise formal probe. Moroccan authorities 13 Nov said over 163 people arrested for inciting violence (See Morocco). Third round of UN-brokered peace talks carried out in New York 8-9 Nov, same time as clashes; both sides agreed to meet again Dec.
Western Sahara
| 1 Nov 2010
New round of talks between Polisario Front and Morocco to be held early Nov according to UNSG’s special envoy Christopher Ross, first since Feb. In protest at social conditions at least 10,000 Sahrawis since 9 Oct moved out of cities to camps outside capital El Aauin. 14 year-old boy killed, 5 injured 25 Oct by Moroccan soldiers at checkpoint to protest camp.
Western Sahara
| 1 Jun 2010
Polisario Front 2 May criticised UN for not including human rights monitoring in Apr UNSC resolution to extend MINURSO mandate. Morocco 4 May welcomed resolution reportedly seeing it as supporting W Saharan autonomy rather than independence.
Western Sahara
| 1 May 2010
UNSG Ban noted failure of recent talks to move Morocco, Polisario Front closer to agreement in 7 Apr report. Following 23 Apr meeting with Polisario leader Mohamed Abdelaziz, Ban expressed concern about human rights violations in territory. UNSC 29 Apr extended mandate of UN mission MINURSO to April 2011.
Western Sahara
| 1 Apr 2010
UN envoy Ross met regional leaders in 17-25 March tour of Morocco, Mauritania, Algeria, Sahrawi refugee camps, in push to revive negotiations over territory.
Western Sahara
| 1 Mar 2010
UN-brokered informal talks between Morocco and Polisario Front in New York State 10-11 Feb failed to make significant headway; sides agreed to continue negotiations.
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Western Sahara
| 1 Feb 2010
Moroccan King Mohamed VI 3 Jan announced plan to devolve power to regions while maintaining territorial unity; stated Western Sahara would be among first regions to benefit from plan.
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Western Sahara
| 4 Jan 2010
Sahrawi rights activist Aminatou Haidar, expelled to Canary Islands in Nov, allowed to return by Moroccan authorities 18 Dec after 32-day hunger strike. UNSG Ban 14 Dec called for resumption of Morocco-Polisario Front negotiations “as soon as possible”; the 2 sides 23 Dec both announced willingness to participate in new round of UN-brokered talks.
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Western Sahara
| 1 Dec 2009
Moroccan authorities 4 Nov ordered Swedish diplomat to leave country for allegedly passing state documents to Polisario Front; 13 Nov expelled Sahrawi rights activist Aminatou Haidar to Canary Islands. UNSG 23 Nov expressed concern at growing Morocco-Polisario tensions, called on parties to cooperate with further talks. U.S. Sec State Clinton expressed continued support for UN-mediated talks in 6 Nov Morocco visit.
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Western Sahara
| 1 Nov 2009
7 Sahrawi activists detained in Morocco following widely denounced visit to Polisario-run camps in Tindouf, SW Algeria. UNSG 7 Oct appointed Egyptian Hany Abdel-Aziz as new head of MINURSO.
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Western Sahara
| 1 Oct 2009
UNHCR head visited Sahrawi refugee camps in Algeria 9-10 Sept as part of North African tour; proposed establishment of land corridor to Moroccan-held zone to facilitate refugee family visits. Morocco 28 Sept called for UNHCR to facilitate refugees’ relocation to third countries.
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Western Sahara
| 1 Sep 2009
Morocco, Polisario Front agreed on further negotiations in 10-11 Aug informal talks with UN envoy Ross in Austria, also attended by Algeria, Mauritania.
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Western Sahara
| 1 Jul 2009
Polisario representative in Algeria 11 June denounced extension of Moroccan local elections to Western Sahara as “serious provocation”, “illegal”, called for UNSG intervention. Newly-formed reformist Authenticity and Modernity Party campaigned widely in territory. UN envoy Ross made second tour of states in region end June.
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Western Sahara
| 1 May 2009
1,400 supporters of Polisario Front entered military zone from Algerian camps for pro-independence demonstration 11 Apr. Morocco alleged ceasefire violation, blamed Algeria for allowing border crossing. UNSC 30 Apr renewed UN mission (MINURSO) mandate for 1 yr, endorsed shift to small-scale informal peace talks proposed by envoy Ross
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Western Sahara
| 1 Apr 2009
UNHCR, WFP mission 18 March began assessment of malnutrition in Sahrawi refugee camps. European Parliament delegation expressed concern for human rights in camps, Moroccan-controlled areas, called for MINURSO mandate to include HR monitoring.
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Western Sahara
| 1 Mar 2009
New UN envoy Christopher Ross met with Moroccan, Algerian and Polisario Front leaders during 18-25 Feb tour of region; affirmed commitment to Sahrawi right of self-determination, called for mutually acceptable political solution to conflict.
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Western Sahara
| 1 Feb 2009
New UN envoy Christopher Ross formally appointed 7 Jan. Polisario Front 14 Jan asked Dutch oil company to cease exploration in territorial waters; 22 Jan called on EU to prevent fishing off coast of disputed territory, suspend 2005 EU-Morocco fisheries agreement.
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Western Sahara
| 5 Jan 2009
Christopher Ross 5 Dec confirmed as new UN special envoy, as Morocco and Algeria reasserted positions on WS status: Rabat 4 Dec said ready to resume stalled talks but only from principle of autonomy, while Algeria issued longstanding call for referendum on independence. Human Rights Watch 19 Dec report alleged pro-independence Sahawis subject to extensive repression and abuse by Moroccan authorities, drawing angry response from Rabat. Report also called on Algeria to take responsibility for protecting rights of Algerian-based Sahrawi IDPs.
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Western Sahara
| 1 Dec 2008
Moroccan King Muhammad VI 6 Nov launched scathing verbal attack against Algerian support for region’s independence, accusing Algiers of seeking to balkanize Maghreb and demanding it re-open common border.
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For background, see Crisis Group Middle East/North Africa Report N°66, Western Sahara: Out of the Impasse, 11 June 2007.
Western Sahara
| 1 Nov 2008
In 21 Oct resolution, UN called for intensification of status talks towards solution guaranteeing “self-determination” of region’s people. Both parties welcomed statement: Morocco as endorsement of autonomy plan, Polisario Front of independence.
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Western Sahara
| 1 Oct 2008
Former U.S. diplomat Christopher Ross expected to replace Peter van Walsum as UN Special Envoy after latter forced out in Aug over Polisario Front (PF) complaints of favouritism toward Morocco. No movement in deadlock over disputed territory.
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For background, see Crisis Group Middle East/North Africa Report N°65, Western Sahara: The Cost of the Conflict, 11 June 2007; and N°66, Western Sahara: Out of the Impasse, 11 June 2007.
Western Sahara
| 1 Sep 2008
Polisario Front (PF) leader Mohamed Abdel Aziz mid-Aug requested UNSG Ban Ki-moon replace UN Special Envoy Peter van Walsum after his repeated statements that independence is unrealistic. PF still intend to participate in UN-backed Manhasset negotiations with Morocco if envoy removed.
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Western Sahara
| 1 Aug 2008
Polisario Front (PF) said 28 July ready for fifth round UN-led talks but not until UN special envoy Peter van Walsum replaced, given recent statement independence unrealistic. PF 23 July alleged Saharawis attacked in Einterfet with complicity of Moroccan police, urged UN action.
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For background, see Crisis Group Middle East/North Africa Report N°66, Western Sahara: Out of the Impasse, 11 June 2007.
Western Sahara
| 1 Jul 2008
Polisario Front leader Muhammed Abdelaziz said in June interview “there can be no military solution to this conflict”. No major developments since UN-mediated talks ended March.
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For background, see Crisis Group Middle East/North Africa Report N°66, Western Sahara: Out of the Impasse, 11 June 2007.
Western Sahara
| 1 Jun 2008
Polisario Front, celebrating 35th anniversary, reiterated rejection of Morocco autonomy proposal; criticised UN special envoy Peter van Walsum for Apr statement independence unrealistic. Unconfirmed reports of Moroccan troop movements in disputed area.
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For background, see Crisis Group Middle East/North Africa Report N°66, Western Sahara: Out of the Impasse, 11 June 2007.
Western Sahara
| 1 May 2008
UN Envoy van Walsum 21 Apr declared independence unrealistic in blow to Algeria-based Polisario Front. UNSC resolution 30 Apr called for “realism and compromise” on independence, extended UN mission (MINURSO) for 1 year, urged further talks: statements welcomed by Morocco.
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Western Sahara
| 1 Apr 2008
Fourth round of UN-mediated talks in New York between Morocco and Algeria-based Polisario Front ended without breakthrough 18 March. Algerian media earlier reported Moroccan arms build-up at border, while Rabat condemned alleged Polisario inroads into Tifariti desert region.
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For background, see Crisis Group Middle East/North Africa Report N°66, Western Sahara: Out of the Impasse, 11 June 2007.
Western Sahara
| 1 Mar 2008
UN envoy conducted series of meetings with WS, Moroccan and regional leaders ahead of fourth round of peace talks between Polisario Front and Morocco to be held 11-13 March
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Western Sahara
| 1 Feb 2008
Third round of peace talks between Polisario Front and Morocco 8-9 Jan in Manhasset, New York ended in stalemate; parties agreed to hold further talks 11-13 Mar.
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Items 1 - 50 of 98