Western Sahara

Western Sahara is a disputed territory in North-western Africa. It has a surface area of 272,000 square kilometres (105,000 sq mi). Approximately 30% of the territory is controlled by the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR); the remaining 70% is occupied and administered by neighboring Morocco. It is the most sparsely populated country in Africa and the second most sparsely populated country in the world, mainly consisting of desert flatlands. The population is estimated at 618,600. Nearly 40% of that population lives in Morocco-controlled Laayoune, the largest city of Western Sahara.
western-sahara

Some of the key events about Western Sahara

  • 1884
    The Berlin Conference recognized Spanish claims to Western Sahara, establishing it as a Spanish protectorate
  • 1884
    Western Sahara became a Spanish colony, beginning a period of foreign rule and exploitation
  • 1947
    Large phosphate deposits were discovered in Western Sahara, boosting economic potential
  • 1958
    Western Sahara was officially designated as a Spanish province, granting it representation in the Spanish parliament
  • 1967
    A UN mission visited Western Sahara to assess the territory's readiness for decolonization
  • 1973
    The Polisario Front was founded to campaign for independence from Spain
  • 1975
    The International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion supporting Western Sahara's right to self-determination
  • 1975
    Morocco launched the "Green March", invading Western Sahara and sparking a long-running territorial dispute
  • 1976
    The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) was proclaimed by the Polisario Front
  • 1976
    The Polisario Front declared the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, leading to a guerrilla war against Moroccan forces
  • 1979
    Mauritania signed a peace treaty with the Polisario Front, withdrawing its claims to Western Sahara
  • 1980
    Morocco began construction of the Moroccan Western Sahara Wall, dividing the territory and displacing many Sahrawis
  • 1991
    A UN-brokered ceasefire was established between Morocco and the Polisario Front
  • 1991
    A ceasefire was declared, but the promised referendum on self-determination was repeatedly postponed
  • 2001
    The Baker Plan for resolving the conflict was rejected by Morocco, prolonging the stalemate
  • 2005
    Protests against Moroccan rule in Western Sahara were violently suppressed
  • 2010
    The Gdeim Izik protest camp was forcibly dismantled by Moroccan security forces, resulting in casualties
  • 2016
    Morocco expelled UN peacekeepers, escalating tensions in the region
  • 2020
    The United States recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, marking a significant diplomatic development
  • 2020
    Armed clashes resumed between Morocco and the Polisario Front, breaking the 29-year ceasefire

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