Western Sahara

Background

The Polisario Front (formally known as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro) has been engaged in a struggle for the independence of Western Sahara since 1973. After years of guerrilla warfare, the United Nations (UN) brokered a ceasefire in 1991. However, the final status of Western Sahara’s territory is still a subject of dispute between the Polisario Front and the Kingdom of Morocco. In 2007, direct talks between the two parties started under the auspices of the UN, with no progress thus far.

Western Sahara is heavily contaminated by anti-personnel (AP) mines and explosive remnants of war. Both Morocco and the Polisario Front used AP mines and the territory is divided by a berm, built by the Moroccan army, which has been fortified with millions of landmines.

Activities

Geneva Call has been engaging the Polisario Front in an AP mine ban since 2000. In 2005, the signed the Deed of Commitment banning AP mines. As part of its efforts to support the implementation of the commitment, Geneva Call facilitated the dissemination of the AP mine ban norm to the Polisario rank and file and promoted intervention by specialized mine action organizations. Since the signing of the Deed of Commitment banning AP mines, mine action activities have expanded in Western Sahara. The Polisario Front destroyed more than 8’500 stockpiled AP mines since 2005. , with the support of the UN, started a survey and clearance project in 2006, and the (ICRC) opened a physical rehabilitation centre in the Saharawi refugee camps in 2007. Geneva Call’s work in Western Sahara is undertaken in partnership with the Saharawi Campaign to Ban Landmines (SCBL). In parallel, Geneva Call has been encouraging Morocco to accede to the and to enhance its mine action efforts.

For further information:

Geneva Call
Building knowledge in International Humanitarian Law for the Polisario Front.,
20 May 2011

Geneva Call, The Polisario Front continues the destruction of its landmine stocks,
7 March 2011

Geneva Call and SCBL, 2008, , Press Release, 21 May.

Pablo San Martín & Joanna C. All, 2007, , Grupo de Estudios Estratégicos, 17 April.

Geneva Call, 2007, ,
1 March.

Reuters, 2006, ,
3 March.

Geneva Call and SCBL, 2006, , Press Release,
27 February.

Agence France Presse, 2005, , 1 November.

Associated Press, 2005, 3 November.

Estrella Digital, 2005, 4 November.

Geneva Call, 2005, [], 3 November.

Geneva Call, 2005, , 15 June.