Morocco FM condemns maps that omit Western Sahara
MADRID, SPAIN - JUNE 18: Saharawi women wearing masks display Saharawi flags during the demonstration on June 18, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. Occupied by Spain until 1975, the disputed territory of Western Saharan is under Morocco control and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front has been fighting to secure its independence since then. (Photo by Isabel Infantes/Getty Images)
Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita has denounced the circulation of maps excluding the disputed territory in Western Sahara, warning that such depictions represent “an attack on our territorial integrity and on the diplomatic and international progress made regarding the Moroccan Sahara” the Yabiladi reported on July 16th. His remarks were part of a formal response to Naima El Fathaoui, a parliamentarian from the Justice and Development Party (PJD), who raised the issue through a written inquiry.
Bourita outlined a strategy the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has put in place to address what it sees as misrepresentation of Morocco’s borders. This strategy involves both close monitoring of the Western Sahara in international media and swift diplomatic engagement to correct altered or incomplete maps. Moroccan authorities also keep a watchful eye on international conferences and forums to ensure Morocco’s full territorial boundaries are displayed.
Protests in Western Sahara have occurred since the 1970s, with many residents demanding full independence from Moroccan control. More recently, since February 2021, Algeria has been vocal in opposing the Sahara’s inclusion in Moroccan maps. On February 26th the BBC reported that the Court of Arbitration for Sport accepted Algeria’s appeal after Moroccan club RS Berkane wore a shirt showing Western Sahara as part of Morocco, prompting Algeria to cancel both legs of their CAF semi-final against USM Alger.
In many cases, Bourita explained, the omissions stem from private companies unaware of the geopolitical sensitivities. Yet, some of these same countries have reiterated their support for Morocco’s claim to the Sahara. One of the countries recognising the territories as Moroccan is the United States. On January 15th, the CIA updated Morocco’s map including the disputed territory of Western Sahara that it recognised as Moroccan back in 2020.
The controversy resurfaced during the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on July 7th, when Morocco’s official map was shown without the Sahara region during the opening ceremony hosted by Morocco.
As of today, countries such as the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates have acknowledged the territory as Moroccan. However, the United Nations does not acknowledge Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, instead classifying it as a non-self-governing territory awaiting a self-determination referendum, in line with long-standing Security Council resolutions.
Yabiladi, BBC, Maghrebi.org
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Subscribe to receive our FREE weekly PDF magazine
