Latest Western Sahara News

In Africa, meager expectations and some hopes for a second Trump presidency

Nov. 13, 2024 00:15 AM EST

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — African leaders may have been quick to congratulate Donald Trump on his election, professing a desire for mutually beneficial partnerships, but there are meager expectations that his presidency will change things for this continent of over 1.4 billion people. ...

UN extends mandate for UN peacekeepers in Western Sahara, with Algeria protesting over human rights

Oct. 31, 2024 19:48 PM EDT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council voted to extend the mandate of the U.N. peacekeeping force in the Western Sahara for another year Thursday with Algeria refusing to vote in protest at the resolution’s failure to include a reference to monitoring human rights in the disputed north...

Moroccan authorities detain a human rights activist who accused government of 'blackmailing' France

Oct. 31, 2024 11:09 AM EDT

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — A Moroccan economist known for his work defending human rights was detained after criticizing the government in remarks posted on social media during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to the North African kingdom. Prosecutors apprehended Fouad...

France announces new investments in disputed Western Sahara

Oct. 29, 2024 19:01 PM EDT

A French delegation visiting Morocco with President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday unveiled investment plans in the disputed Western Sahara as part of a broader suite of agreements and partnerships between the two countries. Projects in Dakhla and the Guelmim-Oued Noun region are among...

UN envoy proposes partitioning Western Sahara

Oct. 17, 2024 19:15 PM EDT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. envoy to Western Sahara suggested dividing the territory between Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front as a way to settle the decades-long conflict. Staffan de Mistura proposed partition as one potential way to satisfy both sides and give...

Morocco's King lauds new allies in Western Sahara dispute after European court ruling

Oct. 11, 2024 19:43 PM EDT

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — King Mohammed VI on Friday reaffirmed that settling sovereignty disputes over the Western Sahara remains the driving force behind Morocco's foreign policy, lauding diplomatic triumphs and framing them as progress toward resolving the decades-long conflict in Morocco's favor....

EU fishing and farming deals with Morocco failed to include Western Sahara's consent, top court says

Oct. 04, 2024 13:20 PM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s top court ruled Friday that fisheries and agriculture agreements reached between the bloc and Morocco five years ago failed to include consultations with the people of Western Sahara. Western Sahara sits on the Atlantic coast and has a desert...