How US and France kept Sahrawis as refugees

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OPINION

By Duncan Dickson Dyogo

As World Refugee Day 2025 prompts global reflection on the immense suffering of displaced populations, the Sahrawi people stand as a stark and enduring example of the complexities of protracted refugee crises.

For half a century, they have lived in exile, denied a country of their own, caught in the geopolitical crosscurrents of the Western Sahara conflict.

This article delves into the historical roots of their displacement, the international community's inconsistent engagement, and the profound impact of global powers, particularly the US and France, in perpetuating their statelessness.

The Western Sahara conflict ignited in the 1970s following Spain's unilateral withdrawal in 1975, leaving the territory to be claimed and subsequently invaded by Morocco and Mauritania through the Madrid Accords. This act directly contravened a 1975 International Court of Justice declaration that neither country held territorial sovereignty over Western Sahara. The resulting war with the Polisario Front, the Sahrawi nationalist movement, led to the mass displacement of thousands of Sahrawis into refugee camps, primarily in Tindouf, Algeria.

Though Mauritania withdrew, Morocco has remained the sole occupier, solidifying a protracted crisis marked by poverty, hunger, and limited access to essential services for the Sahrawi people. Despite numerous peace negotiations, a lasting solution remains elusive, exacerbated by the UN's failure to organise a promised referendum on self-determination, despite the Sahrawis' distinct national identity and culture.

The Sahrawis are a nomadic people with a rich cultural heritage, blending Berber, Arab, and African influences. Their deep-rooted sense of identity and nationalism fuels their unwavering struggle for self-determination and statehood. While the UNHCR recognises them as refugees, their situation presents a paradox: refugees are typically associated with a defined state from which they have fled.

The Sahrawis, however, are recognised as a Non-Self-Governing territory by the UN, implying a right to a state, Western Sahara, that they cannot access due to Moroccan occupation. Furthermore, according to the 1933 Montevideo Convention, the Sahrawi people meet the criteria for statehood, possessing a defined territory, a government-in-exile, and the capacity for international relations. This contradiction is underscored by the African Union's (AU) recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) as a sovereign state, highlighting the convoluted nature of their international standing.

Algeria has generously hosted Sahrawi refugees for five decades, but this hospitality has persisted, contributing to one of the world's longest-running refugee crises. Approximately 173,600 Sahrawis in five camps remain dependent on humanitarian assistance, trapped in a cycle of displacement with an uncertain future.

Over 80% have lived in these camps for more than 50 years, with severely limited access to basic services, education and economic opportunities. Healthcare is dire, plagued by shortages of medical supplies and specialised care, leading to high mortality rates among young children. Food insecurity is rampant, with over 70% relying on assistance and 88% facing chronic food insecurity.

The United Nations, through MINURSO (UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara), established in 1991, aimed to oversee a ceasefire and organise a self-determination referendum. Yet, the referendum has never materialised, leaving the conflict unresolved.

While the international community has provided humanitarian aid and supported negotiations, a more concerted effort is needed to address the root causes and uphold the Sahrawi right to self-determination. The UN's role is complex: it maintains the ceasefire but has been criticised for its failure to implement the agreed-upon referendum, highlighting a profound disconnect between mandate and action.

A significant factor in this prolonged impasse is the influential role of the United States and France. Both nations hold substantial interests in the region, often at the expense of Sahrawi self-determination. The US, with strategic partnerships and military aid to Morocco, has recognised Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, a move widely perceived as biased.

France, deeply entrenched historically and economically with Morocco, prioritises its economic interests, including investments in the phosphate industry, and provides consistent diplomatic support. As permanent members of the UN Security Council, their combined power often shapes UN decisions on Western Sahara, effectively protecting their interests and favouring Morocco. This influence has significantly hampered MINURSO's ability to fulfill its mandate, undermining progress towards a solution.

In contrast to this Western influence, the African Union has consistently championed the Sahrawi cause. The AU recognises the SADR as a sovereign state and vociferously reiterates the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination and the decolonisation of Western Sahara, urging Morocco to respect pre-existing colonial borders as enshrined in the AU Constitutive Act. This African-led approach is crucial, demonstrating the importance of regional solutions to regional problems and serving as a vital counter-balance to the influence of other global powers.

The path forward for the Sahrawi people is fraught with challenges but also holds opportunities. Key challenges include Western Sahara's incomplete decolonisation and its colonial status under Moroccan occupation, which limits access to international funding and participation in global forums.

Morocco's control over 80% of the territory and its resistance to the UN referendum further complicates efforts. The Sahrawi people’s situation is further complicated by the fact that the UN has not yet organised a referendum to recognise Saharawi self-determination for statehood despite their distinct national identity and culture.

The prolonged refugee status has created severe humanitarian challenges, with limited access to essential services and economic opportunities in remote camps. Morocco’s resistance to its colonial doctrine has complicated the UN mission to effectively implement the referendum as a legitimate solution to the crisis.

However, opportunities for progress exist. The Sahrawi people benefit from significant international and national support, which can exert pressure on Morocco and raise global awareness.

The AU's recognition of the SADR provides a vital framework for African countries to support Sahrawi self-determination. Ongoing peace negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario Front, though stalled, still represent a potential avenue for a peaceful and mutually acceptable resolution. Continued humanitarian assistance is paramount to alleviate the dire conditions in the refugee camps and improve the well-being of the Sahrawi people.

Crucially, supporting African-led solutions, such as mediation and dialogue, leverages the deep regional understanding of African countries, increasing the likelihood of sustainable peace. The Polisario Front's unique representation of the Sahrawi people in these negotiations is essential to ensuring their rights and interests are accurately reflected. Above all, prioritising the rights and interests of the Sahrawi people is fundamental to achieving a just and equitable solution, enabling them to participate in a democratic referendum to determine their future.

The Western Sahara conflict is a complex and enduring issue with profound implications for the Sahrawi people. The international community must adopt a more proactive and engaged approach, unequivocally recognising the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination and statehood. Increased humanitarian assistance for refugees is also vital.

International cooperation is essential, given the regional and global implications of the conflict, and a comprehensive, coordinated response is needed to promote stability and security. By working collaboratively and supporting African-led initiatives, the international community can significantly enhance the prospects of a peaceful and sustainable resolution.

The United Nations, in particular, has a critical role to play in coordinating international efforts for humanitarian aid and promoting regional stability by actively removing obstacles to the referendum. Without a clear path to a peaceful settlement and voluntary repatriation, the future for Sahrawi refugees remains daunting. Their ability to make informed decisions about returning home is inextricably linked to the political status of Western Sahara.

While the future is uncertain, hope persists for a brighter tomorrow where, with international support, the Sahrawi people can build a more just and equitable society, exercise their fundamental right to self-determination, and contribute to the region's development and prosperity.

World Refugee Day 2025 serves as a poignant reminder that refugeehood is merely a symptom of deeper, unresolved issues. All stakeholders must reaffirm their commitment to supporting the Sahrawi people and securing a just, democratic and peaceful resolution to the Western Sahara conflict.

The writer is specialist on displaced populations, peace and conflicts