BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- In a shocking revelation, the American news network MintPress News (MPN) has unearthed a series of scandals involving King Mohammed VI of Morocco and his agreements with the Zionist entity, which go beyond military alliances and delve into the illicit plundering of natural resources in the occupied Western Sahara. This flagrant violation of international law has raised significant concerns and called for immediate action from the international community.
MPN’s investigation highlights the extensive involvement of Zionist companies in Morocco’s occupied territories. Companies such as NewMed Energy, Nesploy Petroleum, Selena Group, Halman Aldubi Technologies, and others have been identified as actively operating in the region. These companies have engaged in agreements with Moroccan counterparts, under the personal supervision of King Mohammed VI, to exploit hydrocarbon resources in clear disregard for the rights of the Sahrawi people.
The International Observatory for Monitoring the Resources of the Occupied Western Sahara, quoted by MBN, expressed deep concern over the exclusive oil and gas exploration rights granted by King Mohammed VI to Zionist companies, including NewMed Energy and Russian Petroleum. The resources at stake are finite and threatened under occupation, exacerbating the urgency of resolving the conflict. Eric Hagen, a board member of the organization, described the actions of these companies as “the worst ever” for the Sahrawi people.
The investigation reveals an alarming escalation in commercial activities by Zionist companies in the Western Sahara since the formal normalization of relations between the Zionist entity and the Moroccan regime in December 2020. It is worth noting that despite the tweet by former US President Donald Trump recognizing Morocco’s alleged “sovereignty” over the occupied Western Sahara, a growing number of countries, currently 82, have recognized Western Sahara as a distinct entity.
Among the notable agreements mentioned in the report is the September 2021 deal between the Moroccan National Office for Hydrocarbons and Mines and Gibraltar ratio, a subsidiary of the Zionist oil company, Petroleum Ratio. This agreement grants exploration rights for oil and gas off Dakhla, an occupied city in the Western Sahara. In December 2022, NewMed Energy, a subsidiary of the Zionist group Delek Drilling, entered into a commercial agreement with UNIM and Anadarko Energy to explore for gas and oil off Boujdour, another occupied city. The involvement of European and American investors in the Delek Group further complicates the situation.
Mint Press News also sheds light on the covert cooperation between the Zionist entity and the Moroccan regime that has persisted for decades. Examples include the Moroccan occupation army’s purchase of drones from the Zionist entity in 2014, which were finally received in 2020 and intended for use against the Polisario Front. The investigation reveals that in subsequent years, Morocco acquired surveillance and intelligence-gathering drones, kamikaze drones, the Barak MX anti-aircraft system, and interceptor missiles, all from the Zionist entity.
The report concludes that the military alliance between Morocco and the Zionist entity, once shrouded in secrecy, has now reached an alarming and unprecedented level since the normalization of relations. Riccardo Fabiani, director of the North Africa Program at the International Crisis Group, confirms the gravity of this alliance, emphasizing that cooperation between the Moroccan regime and the Zionist entity has entered a new era.
The international community must take immediate action to address this global scandal. The blatant violation of international law, the exploitation of occupied territories, and the plundering of finite resources demand a swift and decisive response. The United Nations, regional bodies, and concerned nations must work together to hold King Mohammed VI and those complicit accountable for their actions and ensure justice for the Sahrawi people. The exploitation of Western Sahara’s resources cannot continue unchecked, and the voices of the marginalized must be heard and respected.
The international community stands at a crossroads, where it must choose between turning a blind eye to the violations or taking a firm stance in defense of justice, human rights, and the principles of international law. The time for action is now!
Western Sahara: Uncovering the Cause of Conflict and Struggle for Self-Determination
Western Sahara, a Non-Self-Governing Territory recognized by the United Nations (UN), is once again in the spotlight as conflict reemerges, jeopardizing the fragile peace that has prevailed for decades. This contested region, nestled in the Sahel region and bordered by Algeria, Morocco, and Mauritania, holds significant strategic importance due to its phosphate reserves, rich fishing grounds, and potential offshore oil deposits. The conflict revolves around the struggle for self-determination by the Sahrawi people, the indigenous inhabitants of Western Sahara.
The roots of the conflict can be traced back more than half a century, when Western Sahara was included on the UN list of non-self-governing territories in 1963. The UN General Assembly’s resolution 1514 (XV) of 1960 emphasized the importance of granting independence to colonial countries and peoples, setting the stage for Western Sahara’s decolonization agenda.
However, Morocco’s aggressive foreign policy following its independence in 1956 aimed to expand its territory under the concept of “Greater Morocco.” Its ambitions encompassed not only Western Sahara but also Mauritania, northwest Mali, and western Algeria. When these plans failed to materialize, Morocco turned its focus to annexing Western Sahara.
To address doubts raised about Morocco’s territorial claims, the UN sought an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1975. The court’s ruling, issued on October 16, stated that Morocco had never held sovereignty over Western Sahara. The ICJ emphasized that the decolonization of the territory should be achieved through the principle of self-determination, allowing the Sahrawi people to express their will freely and genuinely.
In response, Morocco launched the so-called “Green March” on November 6, 1975, during which 350,000 Moroccan settlers entered Western Sahara. This occupation coincided with the termination of Spain’s administrative power, creating a vacuum that the UN was forced to address. The UN Security Council condemned the march and called on Morocco to withdraw all demonstrators from the territory, but these efforts proved futile.
The Polisario Front, founded in 1973 and recognized as the sole and legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people, continued its struggle to end foreign occupation. In 1976, they established a government-in-exile and declared the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). The SADR received recognition from the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), in November 1984. Morocco, in protest, withdrew from the OAU. In 1991, a UN-sponsored peace settlement led to a ceasefire between the Polisario Front and Morocco, paving the way for the establishment of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), which remains in place today.
Despite the ceasefire, Western Sahara remains a disputed territory. While Morocco controls parts of the region, the UN continues to refer to it as a non-self-governing territory, advocating for self-determination for the Sahrawi people. The UN is deeply committed to finding a solution that ensures the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination, as reflected in various relevant resolutions.
Regrettably, after nearly three decades of complying with the 1991 ceasefire, Morocco’s act of aggression on the Saharawi Liberated Territories on November 13, 2020, has shattered the peace. This recent escalation not only terminated the ceasefire and related military agreements but also undermined the UN peace process, plunging the region into a renewed cycle of tension and instability.
Both the UN Secretary-General and the Security Council have confirmed the breakdown of the 1991 ceasefire on November 13, 2020. In his report (S/2021/843; para 2) dated October 1, 2021, the UN Secretary-General acknowledged, among other things, “the resumption of hostilities” between the occupying state of Morocco and the Frente POLISARIO. For its part, in its resolution 2602 (2021), adopted on October 29, 2021, the Security Council noted “with deep concern the breakdown of the ceasefire” (PP 14).
The acknowledgment by both the UN Secretary-General and the Security Council of the breakdown of the 1991 ceasefire and the realities on the ground render any attempt to deny or underplay the seriousness of the current situation in MINURSO’s area of operation unacceptable and even misleading at a time when the occupying state of Morocco continues its aggression on the Sahrawi Liberated Territories and its deliberate targeting and killing of civilians and destroying their properties.
The resumption of armed conflict in Western Sahara highlights the urgent need for a lasting and just solution that respects the self-determination of the Sahrawi people. The international community must renew its efforts to find a peaceful resolution to this protracted dispute that upholds the principles of justice, human rights, and the rule of law.
The UN, alongside regional organizations such as the AU, should intensify diplomatic efforts to bring all parties to the negotiating table. Only through dialogue and genuine engagement can a sustainable solution be achieved, one that provides the Sahrawi people with the opportunity to exercise their right to determine their own future.
As the conflict in Western Sahara unfolds, the world must not turn a blind eye to the plight of the Sahrawi people. They deserve a just and peaceful resolution that will finally bring an end to their decades-long struggle and pave the way for a prosperous future in an independent and sovereign Western Sahara. The time for action is now.
