Western Sahara: An Inseparable Part of Morocco – A Response to Misleading Narratives

The Western Sahara is an integral part of Morocco, and its connection to the Moroccan state is rooted in historical, legal, and social bonds that cannot be severed. Claims suggesting otherwise, such as recent reports aiming to portray Morocco as conducting a deliberate depopulation campaign in the region, are misleading and serve external agendas to destabilize Morocco’s sovereignty and create unrest. These claims attempt to undermine Morocco’s legitimate and historical ties to the region, seeking to weaken the national unity that the Moroccan people have upheld for centuries.

The Western Sahara, known as the “Southern Provinces,” has been under Moroccan sovereignty long before the colonial powers redrew borders in the 19th century. Morocco’s historical sultans governed the region, and tribal allegiances in the Sahara were firmly linked to the Moroccan throne. The International Court of Justice in 1975 confirmed that there were legal ties of allegiance between the tribes of the Sahara and the Moroccan monarchy.

Morocco has continuously invested in the development of the region, integrating it into the broader Moroccan socio-economic landscape. Major infrastructure projects, from roads to ports, schools, and hospitals, have improved the quality of life for all residents, Sahrawi and Moroccan alike. The Moroccan government has made significant strides to modernize the region, making it a hub of progress, not marginalization.

Furthermore, the Moroccan Autonomy Plan, presented to the United Nations in 2007, offers a solution for the Western Sahara, providing substantial local autonomy while recognizing Morocco’s territorial integrity. This plan has received wide international support as a pragmatic way forward, while the separatist Polisario Front has failed to gain traction in global forums. The Polisario’s claims are not only outdated but also serve external interests that wish to maintain instability in the region for political leverage.

The media coverage that accuses Morocco of forcing Sahrawis out of the region is based on unreliable sources and aims to create tensions. Such reports are part of a broader strategy by those who wish to see chaos and division in Morocco, rather than unity and progress. The Sahrawi people, like all Moroccans, benefit from Morocco’s continued investments and efforts to develop the region, and claims to the contrary only seek to fuel unnecessary unrest​.

Moroccans across the country stand united in their support for the territorial integrity of the Western Sahara. The nation’s commitment to peace, progress, and stability in the region is unwavering, and no external forces or false reports will shake this foundation.