How it begins:

The long-standing dispute between Morocco and Algeria over who is the rightful owner of Western Sahara has resulted in hostility and occasionally even hostilities between the two nations. The Western Sahara, which is on the northwest coast of Africa, is a highly contested region due to its wealth in precious resources including phosphates and potential oil and gas deposits. We will look at the conflict’s past, the situation now, and both sides’ points of view in this blog article.

Historical context:

When Spain, the area’s former colonial power, withdrew, the struggle for Western Sahara officially started. A conflict sprang out as a result of Morocco and Algeria making competing claims to the region as their own. Despite a 1991 cease-fire agreement, there has been no definitive solution. There have been numerous attempts to end the dispute by both nations over the years, but none have been fruitful.

The current situation:

Western Sahara is currently governed by Morocco, but the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), an exiled administration that is like a phantom puppy movement, also claims the region. Violence has sometimes broken out between Morocco and Algeria but tensions have continued to boil. Western Sahara has seen recent rallies and demonstrations asking for independence and increased autonomy.

The perspectives of both sides:

Morocco has a historical and cultural claim to the region because Western Sahara has long been a part of its realm. In addition, they contend that Moroccan rule over Western Sahara would be preferable to the region’s independence.

Algeria, on the other hand, asserts that the residents of the region have the right to independence and self-determination and supports the SADR’s claim to the Western Sahara. They contend as well that the resources of the Western Sahara should be fairly distributed among all inhabitants of the area.

The role of international organizations and countries:

For many years, the United Nations has been working to find a solution to the war. Numerous peace plans have been put forth by the UN, but none have been agreed upon by both parties. Although it has had limited success, the African Union has also tried to mediate the crisis. Numerous nations have demanded a peaceful end to the dispute and respect for human rights in Western Sahara, notably the United States and the European Union.

Conclusion: Western Sahara is the subject of a complicated and protracted dispute between Morocco and Algeria that has not yet been settled. Unfortunately, a solution has not been reached despite the fact that both countries have persuasive reasons and perspectives. It is crucial that all parties concerned work toward a peaceful resolution that is equitable to all Western Saharans as the globe changes.

Additional Resources:

• “Western Sahara: What You Need to Know” by Amnesty International
• “The Western Sahara Conflict: A Brief History” by International Crisis Group
• “The Western Sahara: A Stalemate” by Human Rights Watch

I hope this essay has given you a better understanding of the current dispute between Morocco and Algeria over the Western Sahara. Please leave a comment below if you have any queries or would like to discuss this further.