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Spanish Sahara, now known as Western Sahara, was a Spanish colony located in North Africa. The region borders Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania. It was colonized by Spain in the late 19th century and remained under Spanish control until the mid-1970s[1].
Colonial Era[change | change source]
Historical Background[change | change source]
In the late 19th century, European powers were competing for control of African territories, an era known as the "Scramble for Africa."[2] During this period of rivalry, Spain claimed the region known as Western Sahara in 1884, establishing a protectorate over the coastal areas to expand its influence.[3]
Colonial Administration[change | change source]
The Spanish colonial administration established huge mining operations and began to extract phosphate, a valuable mineral crucial for various industrial applications.[4]The local Sahrawi people, predominantly nomadic Bedouins, often resisted Spanish rule, leading to numerous conflicts and uprisings as they fought to preserve their autonomy and way of life.[5]
Path to independence[change | change source]
Decolonization Movements[change | change source]
After World War II, anti-colonial movements grew stronger worldwide.[6] In Western Sahara, the push for independence grew stronger in the 1960s, with increasing local support and international attention.[7] The United Nations recognized the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination and called for decolonization.[8]
Green March and Madrid Accords[change | change source]
In 1975, facing both international pressure and local resistance, Spain decided to withdraw from Western Sahara. The same year, Morocco organized the "Green March," in which hundreds of thousands of Moroccans entered the territory to assert Morocco's claim over it.[9] Subsequently, Spain, Morocco, and Mauritania signed the Madrid Accords[10], agreeing to divide the territory between Morocco and Mauritania in an attempt to resolve the conflict.
Conflict and Current Status[change | change source]
Polisario Front and Guerilla Warfare[change | change source]
The withdrawal of Spain did not lead to peace. The Polisario Front, representing the Sahrawi people, declared the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and waged a guerrilla war against both Morocco and Mauritania to fight for their independence.[11] In 1979, Mauritania withdrew its claims, leaving Morocco in control of most of the territory.[12]
The conflict continues today, with the Polisario Front seeking independence and Morocco proposing limited autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty. The United Nations continues to call for a referendum to determine the final status of Western Sahara, but a lasting solution has yet to be achieved, leaving the region in a state of unresolved tension.[13]
Sahrawi Culture[change | change source]
Western Sahara's culture is a blend of Arab, Berber, and African influences, showing the diverse heritage of the region. The traditional lifestyle of the Sahrawi people is nomadic, relying on camel herding for sustenance and mobility.[14] Despite the conflict, the Sahrawi maintain their unique customs, language, and traditional music and dance.
Future of the region[change | change source]
The history of Spanish Sahara is marked by colonial exploitation, fierce resistance, and an ongoing struggle for self-determination in Western Sahara (previously called Spanish Sahara). The international community's role in finding a peaceful resolution remains crucial. The future of the region remains uncertain as diplomatic efforts continue to seek a resolution that satisfies both Moroccan claims and the aspirations of the Sahrawi people for independence. [15]
References[change | change source]
- ↑ "Western Sahara | Facts, History, Conflict, Map, & Population | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2024-04-29. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
- ↑ Chamberlain, M. E. (2013-10-01). The Scramble for Africa (3 ed.). London: Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781315833668. ISBN 978-1-315-83366-8.
- ↑ Zunes, Stephen; Mundy, Jacob (2010). Western Sahara: War, Nationalism, and Conflict Irresolution. Syracuse University Press. doi:10.2307/j.ctt1j2n9vz.8. ISBN 978-0-8156-3219-1.
- ↑ "Western Sahara | Facts, History, Conflict, Map, & Population | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2024-04-29. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
- ↑ Zunes, Stephen; Mundy, Jacob (2010). Western Sahara: War, Nationalism, and Conflict Irresolution. Syracuse University Press. doi:10.2307/j.ctt1j2n9vz.13. ISBN 978-0-8156-3219-1.
- ↑ Keith, Dane (2016). ""Decolonization: A Very Short Introduction"". academic.oup.com. doi:10.1093/actrade/9780199340491.003.0001. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
- ↑ Zunes, Stephen; Mundy, Jacob (2010). Western Sahara: War, Nationalism, and Conflict Irresolution. Syracuse University Press. doi:10.2307/j.ctt1j2n9vz. ISBN 978-0-8156-3219-1.
- ↑ "Question of Western Sahara". Refworld. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
- ↑ "Green March | Moroccan history | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
- ↑ "Declaration of Principles on Western Sahara (Madrid Accords) | UN Peacemaker". peacemaker.un.org. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
- ↑ Wilson, Alice (2016-11-07). Sovereignty in Exile: A Saharan Liberation Movement Governs. University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 978-0-8122-4849-4.
- ↑ Jensen, Erik (2005). Western Sahara: Anatomy Of A Stalemate. International Peace Academy Occasional Paper Series. Lynne Rienner Publishers. ISBN 978-1-58826-305-6.
- ↑ "UN renews peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara, calls for talks". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
- ↑ Volpato, Gabriele; Howard, Patricia (2014-06-27). "The material and cultural recovery of camels and camel husbandry among Sahrawi refugees of Western Sahara". Pastoralism. 4 (1): 7. doi:10.1186/s13570-014-0007-4. ISSN 2041-7136.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ↑ yrashed (2023-08-03). "The Western Sahara conflict: A fragile path to negotiations". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 2024-05-14.