- The Saharawi Struggle: A Fight for Decolonization and Statehood
The question of Western Sahara, home to the Saharawi people, is one of the most enduring and complex decolonization struggles in modern history. The Saharawi, represented by the Polisario Front, have been fighting for their right to self-determination and recognition as an independent state for decades. This struggle, however, is not just about territorial disputes—it is rooted in the incomplete decolonization process initiated during Spanish colonial rule.
For nearly a century, Western Sahara was under Spanish control. When Spain, the administrative power, was expected to facilitate the decolonization process, it failed to fulfill its international obligations. Instead of allowing the Saharawi to decide their future, Spain signed an illegal agreement in 1975, handing the territory to both Morocco and Mauritania. This agreement, known as the Madrid Accords, disregarded the rights of the indigenous Saharawi people and set the stage for a long-standing conflict.
Following the Madrid Accords, Morocco claimed sovereignty over much of Western Sahara, leading to a territorial dispute that persists to this day. The Saharawi, determined to achieve independence, have consistently resisted Moroccan occupation, calling for their right to self-determination as recognized by international law. Mauritania, which initially laid claim to parts of Western Sahara, withdrew its territorial ambitions in 1979 and has since enjoyed peaceful relations with the Saharawi.
The Saharawi’s fight Is a question of decolonization—a process that was left incomplete when Spain illegally transferred the territory without considering the will of the Saharawi people. The United Nations has long called for a referendum on self-determination for Western Sahara, but the road to achieving this goal has been fraught with political and diplomatic obstacles, leaving the Saharawi in limbo.
Today, the Saharawi people continue to push for recognition as a sovereign state. Their case is not just about land or political autonomy; it is a quest for justice and an affirmation of their identity. Despite living in exile, many in refugee camps, the Saharawi remain committed to their cause, seeking the support of the international community, particularly Africa, in realizing their right to self-governance.
The Saharawi struggle is a reminder of the unfinished business of decolonization in Africa. Their fight is not only for the recognition of their state but for the principles of self-determination, justice, and the correction of historical wrongs. As African nations, once colonies themselves, continue to address the lingering impacts of colonization, the Saharawi issue should resonate deeply.
Africa must stand in solidarity with the Saharawi people, advocating for their right to determine their own destiny. Their cause is a continuation of the continent’s broader decolonization movement, and it is a call for the world to complete the process that Spain left unfinished decades ago.
In the end, the Saharawi’s fight for recognition is about more than just borders. It is about affirming the right of a people to exist, to govern themselves, and to correct the injustices of the past. This fight, long overdue, deserves global attention and African leadership in ensuring that the Saharawi achieve the recognition and independence they seek. The struggle for Western Sahara is, in essence, a continuation of Africa’s larger story of liberation.
