CIA recognises Western Sahara as part of Morocco
The CIA recognises Western Sahara as part of Morocco, as per a recent update to its website on January 15th.
In the description, the CIA wrote that the US recognised the North African country’s sovereignty over all of Western Sahara in 2020.
Morocco has claimed authority over Western Sahara since 1975, but the United Nations does not recognise Moroccan sovereignty, calling Western Sahara a “non-self-governing territory.” Morocco controls the most populous area along the Atlantic coastline, more than three-quarters of the territory.
The territory was initially acquired after Spain withdrew from Western Sahara, and was occupied by Morocco and Mauritania in 1976. Disputes between the two North African countries’ lasted until 1979, when Mauritania withdrew and forfeited any claim to Western Sahara.
Contrary to the UN’s classification of the situation as a military occupation; with post WWII law declaring any act of annexation as unlawful, Morocco has enjoyed full US support in the dispute.
This update comes shortly prior to the inauguration of President Donald Trump, under whose 2020 administration the US formally recognised the Western Sahara as part of Morocco, in exchange for Morocco’s normalisation of relations with Israel.
Morocco’s claims of sovereignty over the territory have been criticised by many, even drawing comparison to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. As of 2023, Israel formally recognises Western Sahara as Moroccan territory.
The recognition included American support for Morocco’s autonomy proposal, which was described as “serious, credible, and realistic” and “the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute.”
European powers have also taken steps to endorse Morocco’s ‘autonomy plans’, with France officially recognising Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara on July 30, 2024.
Earlier, in March 2022, Spain officially endorsed Morocco’s ownership of the Western Sahara. Prior to decolonisation, Western Sahara belonged to Spain and was called Spanish Sahara.
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