Featured stories about Western Sahara
Stories about Western Sahara
Increasing restrictions by Morocco against activists of Western Sahara
After decades of peace between Sahrawis and Morocco, November clashes ended Polisario's commitment to the 1991 agreement and spurred Morocco's clampdown on the region, encouraged by Washington's recognition of Rabat's sovereignty.
Western Saharan media activist Bashir Khadda suspends 45-day hunger strike in Moroccan prison
Khadda is among 25 activists prosecuted and jailed by Moroccan authorities for their roles in the 2010 Gdeim Izik protest movement.
Morocco-EU Fisheries Deal Ignores Occupation of Western Sahara
"The trade agreement between EU and Morocco concerning fishery and agricultural products is an important part of turning the Moroccan occupation of Western Sahara into a profitable one."
‘We Want the World to Know': Activists Reporting on Occupation Face Legal Threats in Western Sahara
Local journalists and media activists reporting on the occupation and Moroccan abuses face legal obstacles and risk lengthy jail sentences in order to make their voices heard.
Despite Threats of Censorship, Documentary Filmmakers Show Human Rights Violations in Western Sahara
The film gives audiences a close look at Western Sahara under Moroccan occupation.
Meet Two Sahrawi Activist Filmmakers Who Dare to Document Human Rights Abuses
“I am always in danger, even when I am not filming,” said Mariem Zafri, Sahrawi media activist about the risks she takes in her video advocacy work.
As UN Decides Future of Western Sahara Peacekeeping Mission, Sahrawis Press for Human Rights
While international diplomats met this week to determine the future of the UN’s peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara, demonstrators throughout the occupied territory are calling for self-determination and human rights.
Moroccans Rally for Unity, While Sahrawis Push for Independence After Ban Ki-Moon’s ‘Occupied’ Remark
"When will you be relieved from your prolonged pain? Oh, my homeland. Peace be upon you"
MENA: Acclaimed Authors’ Favorites of 2012
M. Lynx Qualey, blogger, who is interested in Arab and Arabic literature, wrote a series of posts introducing acclaimed Arab poets, novelists, and short-story writers’ favorite Arab reads of 2012. She started with a list of nonfiction books, then followed by a list for poetry [En] and fiction [En].
Western Sahara: Wikileaks Revelations Spark Comments
Reactions to the diplomatic cables released by the whistleblower website Wikileaks continue to flourish all over the blogosphere. Revelations concerning the conflict over Western Sahara have sparked a few comments.
Morocco: Danish journalist deported for Western Sahara fishing story
A Danish journalist who did a radio story on the European Union paying Morocco for fish from Western Sahara was deported from Morocco two days after arriving. His computer hard drive and SIM card were confiscated.
Morocco/Western Sahara: Gadaym Izik Riots Become a Volatile Political Crisis
There has been ongoing unrest in Western Sahara, the former Spanish colony that was annexed by Morocco after “The Green March Demonstration“ in November, 1975. Last week, the territory witnessed one of the worst violent events in years. Bloggers react to the development in this post.
Morocco: Talks on Western Sahara to Resume
The dispute over the Western Sahara is a complex one--Morocco claims it as their own, while the Saharan independence movement (the Polisario), backed by Algeria, desires independence. Three years ago, talks resumed between the Polisario and Morocco. Bloggers react to a new round of talks.
Western Sahara: Running the Sahara Marathon 2010
The Sahara Marathon is an international sport event to demonstrate solidarity with the Saharawi people and this year celebrates its 10th anniversary. Many dedicated bloggers wrote about it to promote the event in different languages and even created blogs for this purpose.
Western Sahara: Aminatou Haidar Deported
Aminatou Haidar is a leading activist for independence of the Western Sahara (from Morocco). On Friday, November 13 when, upon returning to Laayoune (a city in the Western Sahara region), she was arrested and subsequently deported. Jillian C. York rounds up the reactions of bloggers.
Western Sahara: Hunger Strike in Support for Separatists
Solidarité Maroc [Fr], an online forum regrouping some Moroccan human rights activist, publishes an appeal (video) by French national Jean François Debargue who's on hunger strike in solidarity with Sahrawis whom he says are living in “dire conditions” in Western Sahara – a territory administered by Morocco and contested by...
Bubisher: A Bus of Books for Children in Western Sahara
Do you want to go to the Sahara desert and read for children living in the refugee camps? Bubisher is a mobile library being driven across Western Sahara refugee camps. In those refugee schools, the bus shares with youngsters food for the soul and mind: books. Renata Avila highlights the initiative.
Western Sahara: Landmine Injures Five During Peaceful Protest
Last week, Saharawis and Spaniards stood together in solidarity against the berm (”Wall of Shame”) built between Morocco and the Western Sahara, over which Morocco claims sovereignty. The protest, dubbed the International March against the Wall of Shame, resulted in an unconfirmed number of Saharawis injured by landmines. Jillian York shares the story.
Maghreb: UN Western Sahara Envoy Holds Talks with Polisario
Yesterday, Christopher Ross, the UN Special Envoy to the disputed Western Sahara, arrived in Algeria to hold talks with the Polisario Front, according to AFP. Jillian York rounds up blogger reactions from the Maghreb region on this latest development.
Global: Morocco Closes Caracas Embassy
Morocco announced this week that it would close its embassy in Venezuela due to Venezuela's recognition of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), the territory also known as the "Western Sahara," over which Morocco asserts its sovereignty.
Recent Developments in Western Sahara
Writing on One Hump or Two?, Will Sommer updates us on recent developments in Western Sahara.
