Western Sahara

Definition

Western Sahara is a disputed territory located in North Africa, bordered by Morocco to the north, Algeria to the east, and Mauritania to the south. It has a complex political status, as it is claimed by both Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), leading to ongoing tensions over land use, resource allocation, and population density in the region.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Western Sahara was a Spanish colony until 1975 when Spain withdrew and Morocco and Mauritania laid claim to the territory.
2. The region has significant phosphate reserves, making it economically valuable and a focal point for land use conflicts.
3. The conflict has resulted in a large refugee population, with many Sahrawis living in camps in Algeria.
4. The United Nations has classified Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory and has called for a referendum to determine its future status.
5. Morocco maintains control over the majority of the territory and has invested heavily in infrastructure, leading to increased population density in those areas.

Review Questions

• How does the political status of Western Sahara affect land use and resource management in the region?
  • The political status of Western Sahara creates a contentious environment where both Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic assert their claims over land and resources. This dispute complicates land use planning, as competing authorities have different interests. The extraction of valuable resources, like phosphates, is influenced by this ongoing conflict, resulting in unequal access and management practices that reflect the broader geopolitical struggles.
• Discuss the implications of the refugee situation resulting from the Western Sahara conflict on surrounding countries like Algeria.
  • The refugee situation stemming from the Western Sahara conflict has significant implications for neighboring Algeria, which hosts a large number of Sahrawi refugees. These camps place pressure on Algeria's resources and social services while also complicating its political relations with Morocco. The presence of refugees can lead to increased tensions between these countries, impacting regional stability and influencing Algeria's foreign policy toward Western Sahara.
• Evaluate how historical colonial practices have shaped current disputes over sovereignty and land use in Western Sahara.
  • The colonial legacy of Western Sahara significantly shapes current disputes over sovereignty and land use. The withdrawal of Spanish colonial powers left a power vacuum that Morocco exploited, igniting claims and territorial disputes that persist today. This historical context is crucial for understanding how resource allocation is contested and how local populations are affected by external political agendas. Moreover, colonial histories often leave behind divided communities and unresolved issues that continue to influence national identities and conflicts in post-colonial settings like Western Sahara.

Related terms

Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR): A partially recognized state proclaimed by the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara from Moroccan rule.

Polisario Front: A liberation movement that advocates for the independence of Western Sahara, engaging in both diplomatic efforts and armed resistance against Moroccan control.

Colonial legacy: The historical impact of colonial powers on former colonies, which often leads to disputes over sovereignty and governance, such as those seen in Western Sahara.