The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Western Sahara, declared itself independent 48 years ago, on February 27, 1976. However, occupation, colonialism and exploitation of natural resources continue by Morocco. Communist Youth of Finland sends greetings to the Sahrawi people on Independence Day and demands a commitment from the international community to put pressure on Morocco for the implementation of independence of Western Sahara.
The occupation has always been illegal and there are no cultural or historical ties to justify it.
Western Sahara is the last colony in Africa that is still on the UN map of colonies. The dispute over the Western Sahara region intensified in December 1975, when the colonial power Spain withdrew from the region. Before this, Spain had agreed with Morocco and Mauritania that the two countries would temporarily divide the Western Sahara region. The Sahrawis, of course, strongly opposed the continuation of colonialism. Polisario and Mauritania made peace in 1979, after which Mauritanian troops withdrew, but Morocco began to occupy Western Sahara on a larger scale.
The occupation has always been illegal and there are no cultural or historical ties to justify it. This was confirmed by the decision of the Hague Criminal Court in 1976. Moroccans and Sahrawis are different peoples. The occupation of Morocco is due to Morocco’s desire for expansion and natural resources. The claim of common links between the regions behind the occupation has been refuted from the beginning. Does Morocco occupy all North African countries only because all countries are related to each other in terms of Arab origin, religion and language?
The EU supports the continuation of colonialism
On the basis of the trade agreements between the European Union and Morocco, vessels from the EU countries have been able to fish in the territorial waters of the Western Sahara, and for example, tomatoes whose country of origin is marked Morocco are sold in Finland, even though the tomatoes are produced in the Western Sahara.
According to international law, the natural resources of the occupied territory can only be used after the approval of the local population. The Sahrawis’ position has not been asked, so the trade agreements between the EU and Morocco grossly violate international law. Most recently, in 2021, the EU court found three agricultural and fisheries agreements between the Union and Morocco to be illegal, as the territorial waters of the Western Sahara cannot be considered to belong to Morocco. However, the EU has not seemed to commit to the decisions of its own court.
Especially during the European elections this spring, it is necessary to highlight how the EU has not recognized the Polisario as a body representing the Sahrawi people, and to present demands for recognition and negotiation and cooperation with the Polisario.
It must be made clear to Morocco that the violation of international law and the continuation of colonialism cannot be accepted.
The UN has agreed to be held an independence referendum in Western Sahara as early as 1992, but since Morocco knows that the Sahrawis stand on the side of achieving independence, it does not want the referendum to take place and is doing everything to prevent the plans. However, it must be made clear to Morocco that the violation of international law and the continuation of colonialism cannot be accepted.
On the Independence Day of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Communist Youth of Finland demands Finland to recognize the independence of Western Sahara and stronger efforts in the EU and the UN to overcome Morocco’s colonialist and groundless opposition and to implement the Western Sahara independence referendum, peace and justice.