Unveiling the Sahrawi Struggle: Western Sahara’s Fight for Self-Determination

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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The Enduring Fight for Western Sahara

The Sahrawi people, who are indigenous to Western Sahara, have endured decades of Moroccan occupation. This challenging situation began in 1975 and continues to defy international law and numerous United Nations resolutions (democracynow.org). For those who understand the history of colonialism and the fight for liberation across Africa and its diaspora, the Sahrawi struggle resonates deeply. It is a powerful reminder that the fight for self-determination and human dignity is far from over.

This occupation has led to immense human suffering, including widespread human rights abuses. The Sahrawi people have faced torture, imprisonment, killings, and disappearances for resisting the Moroccan presence (democracynow.org). This article will examine the historical roots of this conflict, the profound human cost, the creative ways in which the Sahrawi people resist, and the complex international responses that have shaped their destiny.

A Legacy of Colonialism: Western Sahara’s Origins

Western Sahara, a territory located in North Africa between Morocco and Mauritania, was once a Spanish colony. Spain’s withdrawal in 1975, however, did not lead to a clear process of decolonization (refugees.org). Instead, it created a power vacuum. Morocco and Mauritania quickly moved to assert control over the territory, setting the stage for the current conflict. This lack of a proper decolonization process is a central reason for the ongoing dispute over Western Sahara’s sovereignty (refugees.org).

In November 1975, Morocco organized the “Green March,” a mass demonstration where hundreds of thousands of unarmed Moroccan civilians marched into Western Sahara. This strategic move significantly altered territorial control, leading to Morocco asserting its claim over the region (refugees.org). The march directly contributed to Morocco’s de facto control over a large portion of Western Sahara. This action sparked a conflict with the Polisario Front, a Sahrawi liberation movement. The Polisario Front proclaimed the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in 1976 (hrw.org). The Moroccan occupation is considered illegal under international law because it violates the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination, a fundamental principle enshrined in United Nations resolutions.

The Human Toll: Repression and Resistance

The Moroccan occupation has inflicted severe human rights violations upon the Sahrawi people. For over four decades, thousands have faced torture, imprisonment, killings, and disappearances simply for resisting (democracynow.org). These abuses are not random acts; they are part of a deliberate strategy aimed at instilling fear and silencing dissent. The Sahrawi Association of Victims of Grave Human Rights Violations Committed by the Moroccan State (ASVDH) works tirelessly to document these abuses (democracynow.org).

Sahrawi women human rights defenders are particularly targeted. They suffer daily under the occupation, experiencing immense hardship and often losing children (democracynow.org). The widespread and systemic violence and discrimination they face are part of a “wheel of reprisals,” a misogynistic strategy designed to break their spirit and resistance (democracynow.org). Activists like Sultana Khaya have been placed under Moroccan-imposed house arrest in Western Sahara, highlighting the severe repression faced by those who dare to speak out (democracynow.org). Despite these dangers, women like Aminatou Haidar, known as the “Gandhi of Western Sahara” and president of the Collective of Sahrawi Human Rights Defenders (CODESA), continue to advocate for human rights and Morocco’s withdrawal (democracynow.org). Their courage in the face of such brutality is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Sahrawi people.

Art as a Voice: The Jaimitna Project

In the face of oppression, art often becomes a powerful tool for resistance and storytelling. “Artivism” combines art and activism to create social and political change. The “Jaimitna” project is a brilliant example of this, using the Sahrawi tent (jaima) as a symbol of resilience, resistance, and a platform for human rights storytelling (nomadshrc.org). The jaima, a traditional Sahrawi tent, holds deep cultural significance, representing home, community, and survival in harsh desert conditions. It is a symbol of pride and hope for a people often displaced.

The Jaimitna project examines the spatial realities of the Sahrawi people in the context of colonialism, occupation, and exile, while also celebrating their unwavering resilience (nomadshrc.org). The project centers on a Sahrawi tent, hand-sewn by a collective of Sahrawi women in refugee camps. It is designed to be a mobile art project, carrying the stories and spirit of these women to new audiences. The tent is made from canvas, similar to the humanitarian aid material, but its interior is adorned with melhfas, the traditional Sahrawi women’s clothing. These melhfas are not just fabric; they are the actual dresses of 19 Sahrawi human rights defenders, some even bearing bloodstains from violent demonstrations (democracynow.org). QR codes attached to each melhfa allow visitors to scan and hear the women’s personal stories, revealing their suffering, strength, and diverse talents as artists, singers, and writers. The Jaimitna project aims to open new spaces for learning and dialogue, contributing to a wider understanding of Western Sahara and its people (nomadshrc.org). It allows the voices of those who cannot leave the occupied territories to be heard on an international stage, such as the United Nations Human Rights Council.

International Betrayal and Shifting Alliances

The international community, including the United Nations, has largely failed to resolve the Western Sahara conflict. Key agreements, such as the self-determination referendum, remain unfulfilled (democracynow.org). A ceasefire brokered by the United Nations in 1991 included an offer for a referendum on self-determination for the Sahrawi people. This crucial vote has not yet taken place due to Moroccan impedance (democracynow.org). This ongoing delay is a source of deep frustration and a symbol of the international community’s inaction.

Geopolitical shifts have further complicated the situation. The current president’s administration recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2020. This controversial move was part of the Abraham Accords, which aimed to normalize relations between Israel and Arab nations (democracynow.org). This recognition was a significant blow to the Sahrawi cause, as it legitimized Morocco’s claim in the eyes of a major global power. However, not all nations have followed this path. Algeria, for instance, has been a strong supporter of the Sahrawi cause and the Polisario Front, viewing Morocco’s actions as a violation of self-determination (refugees.org). Algeria provides military, diplomatic, and humanitarian support to the Polisario Front and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). Similarly, South Africa, a nation born of its own struggle against apartheid, has consistently supported liberation movements worldwide, including the Sahrawi people (democracynow.org). This solidarity from African nations underscores the shared history of fighting for freedom and justice against colonial legacies.

The Humanitarian Crisis and the Call for Accountability

The ongoing conflict has created a severe humanitarian crisis, particularly for the Sahrawi people living in refugee camps near Tindouf, Algeria. Most residents in these camps live in basic conditions, often in tents or modest huts, without running water (hrw.org). They remain heavily dependent on international aid for their survival. The Sahrawi people are an historically marginalized population, and their displacement has only exacerbated their vulnerabilities (giwps.georgetown.edu).

Human rights organizations and activists continue to advocate tirelessly for the rights of the Sahrawi people and an end to the occupation. A crucial demand is the establishment of a human rights monitoring system in Western Sahara (democracynow.org). Such a system currently does not exist under the United Nations, leaving abuses largely undocumented and perpetrators unpunished. Its absence allows human rights violations to continue with little international oversight, further endangering the Sahrawi population. Implementing such a system would provide much-needed transparency and accountability, offering a glimmer of hope for justice for the Sahrawi people. The Biden administration has continued to express strong support for the U.S. security relationship with Morocco, while remaining largely silent on the human rights of Sahrawis, despite a UN rapporteur condemning abuses (amnestyusa.org).

The Unyielding Spirit of the Sahrawi People

The struggle of the Sahrawi people for self-determination in Western Sahara is a powerful narrative of resilience against enduring colonial injustice. Despite decades of occupation, severe human rights abuses, and international inaction, their spirit remains unbroken. The creative resistance seen in projects like “Jaimitna” and the unwavering advocacy of human rights defenders demonstrate a profound commitment to their identity and future. This commitment mirrors the historical struggles for freedom and dignity that resonate across the African continent and its diaspora.

The call for a self-determination referendum and a human rights monitoring system continues to echo in international forums. The Sahrawi people’s fight is a testament to the universal right of all peoples to determine their own destiny. Their story serves as a critical reminder that true justice and lasting peace can only be achieved when the fundamental rights of indigenous populations are respected and protected. The world must pay closer attention and act decisively to ensure that the Sahrawi people finally achieve the self-determination they have long sought and rightfully deserve.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.