Eye on Western Sahara is the monthly newsletter of the US-based Campaign to End the Moroccan Occupation of Western Sahara (freewesternsahara.org). The Campaign is a diverse coalition of individuals committed to international justice and respect for national self-determination. The campaign is broad and non-partisan and includes people from across the entire political spectrum.

The Sahrawi freedom struggle against Moroccan occupation is hidden in plain sight.  It is a struggle that has been underway since the 1970s, and by 1975 it evolved into a specific effort against the Moroccan aggression.  It is a struggle that has, periodically, received worldwide attention, only to be largely forgotten by most of the planet, particularly after the 1991 ceasefire.  Let’s clarify:  the Sahrawis, however, have not forgotten this struggle.

Around the world there are small pockets of supporters of the Sahrawi freedom struggle.  There are periodic international gatherings.  There are undertakings of campaigns, e.g., the Western Sahara Resource Watch (WSRW), which has focused on targeting companies that pirate Western Sahara’s natural resources.  There are governments that recognize the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) as the legitimate government of the Sahrawi people, and others that call for the original United Nations insistence on a legitimate referendum to finally take place.

In the face of this, Morocco has not shifted but has intensified its annexationist pursuit and, in the course of renewed war between Morocco and the Frente Polisario—the internationally recognized movement of the Sahrawi people—Morocco has gained the recognition from the USA and Israel for its criminal enterprise of annexation.  This recognition of Moroccan annexationism has also been accompanied by military supplies from Israel and some other countries.

It should now be clear that traditional diplomatic efforts are insufficient in lifting the Sahrawi struggle.  Gaining recognition for the SADR is important but not enough.  Statements at the United Nations and other international sites are of symbolic importance, but the Moroccans thumb their noses at such efforts while they continue their expansion and their war against the Sahrawi people.

Basta!  Kaf!

Whether in the case of the struggles against Portuguese colonialism in Africa or the struggle against South African Apartheid—to name only two—accompanying the struggle on the ground has been a global campaign to isolate the perpetrator of oppression and weaken their ability to continue their oppression.  There is no rocket science to this, though there is a lot of hard work to carry it out.

Winning the battle for Sahrawi freedom will not be accomplished, at the end of the day, unless it is the Sahrawis leading the struggle.   At the same time, the absence of a coordinated, global campaign against Moroccan annexationism only strengthens the hand of the Moroccan government and ensures the practical isolation of the Sahrawi people.  Statements of solidarity, no matter how well intentioned, are simply not enough.

The time has come (actually it came a long time ago!) for global coordination.   Sahrawi solidarity efforts around the planet, including those sponsored by governments which support the SADR and/or efforts from civil society need to undertake a virtual convening to begin the process of advancing a clear strategy in support of Sahrawi freedom.   Such an effort must have a strong relationship with Polisario and must not jump beyond the demands of Polisario and the SADR.  But there are real options that need to be considered in terms of shifting the balance of forces.  For instance:

• More coordinated digital solidarity efforts, with exposures of the activities of the Moroccan annexationists, human rights abuses, and the pirating of Western Sahara.
• Coordinated campaigns focused on companies doing business with the Moroccan government in any way that strengthens Moroccan annexationism and human rights abuses.
• Coordinated litigation:  There are litigation strategies already underway. Can we increase their scale?
• Coordinated campaigns against Moroccan businesses and trade:  Why, for instance, should anyone be vacationing in Morocco or making films there?
• Coordinated campaigns to block all military hardware and software being exported to and/or shared with Morocco, regardless of the rationale.
• Mass pressure for greater numbers of governments to recognize the SADR.

This is a partial list.  The point is that a more comprehensive global strategy must be constructed that paints the real picture of Morocco; isolates the Moroccan government to the point of embarrassment and discomfort on the international stage; and supports the peaceful and just resolution of the Morocco/Sahrawi conflict in favor of full and unimpeded national self-determination for the Sahrawi people.

If not now, when???

In solidarity with the Sahrawi people,

Bill Fletcher, Jr. 
Co-chair and Co-founder of the US-based Campaign to End the Moroccan Occupation of Western Sahara

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