International Crisis Group
text only version
Western Sahara | North Africa
CrisisWatch database
Recent reports and briefings

The Western Sahara conflict is one of the world's oldest and most neglected. Formerly a Spanish colony, the Western Sahara was claimed by Morocco in 1975 and fully annexed by 1979. Fighting between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, claiming to be the Western Saharan government-in-exile, ceased in 1991 and a UN peacekeeping mission, MINURSO, was deployed. A settlement agreement planned for a referendum to decide the future of the territory. Despite multiple attempts by the UN to resolve the conflict, the referendum has been repeatedly delayed, with each side blaming the other for the delay.

In April 2007 both parties presented peace plans to UN: the Morocco plan ruled out independence but proposed autonomy and local powers while the Polisario plan sought a vote on self-determination but left open the possibility of cooperation with Morocco. The two sides then met in UN-brokered negotiations in July 2007, the first direct negotiations in seven years, but could not reach agreement. Three further rounds of negotiations – the latest in March 2008 – have been unable to achieve a breakthrough.  The UN Security Council extended MINURSO for a further 12 months in May 2008, and called for "realism and a spirit of compromise", which has been interpreted as a blow to the Polisario's hopes for independence.

Our Western Sahara reports are listed below, starting with the most recent. You can also search for relevant reports using the search box in the top right hand side of this page. These reports are also available in Arabic and French, accessible via the English executive summary, and the executive summary and recommendations are available in Spanish.

Articles, op-eds, speeches and media releases can be found under the media section.

 

 


Recent reports & briefings