INFORMATION SERVICES: RESEARCH:PARLIAMENT
Researcher: Matthew Parks:
18 February 2003

Briefing Notes on Morocco and the Western Sahara
Introduction
This research brief is meant to serve as background information for Members on Morocco and the Western Sahara. It includes information from a variety on sources on the background to the conflict between Morocco and Western Sahara, the role of the United States’ policy in it, Human Rights, the ANC’s 51^st Congress Resolution on Western Sahara, South Africa’s government’s policy, South African-Moroccan trade figures, profiles of Morocco and the Western Sahara and issues for Members to consider.
Background
The legal status of territory and issue of sovereignty remain unresolved and territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), which in February 1976 formally proclaimed a government-in-exile of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), led by President Mohamed Abdel Aziz. It is recognized by 75 nations and unlike Morocco is a member of the African Union. The territory was partitioned between Morocco and Mauritania in April 1976, with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds; Mauritania, under pressure from Polisario guerrillas, later abandoned its portion in August 1979. Morocco then occupied that sector and has since asserted administrative control. The Polisario's government-in-exile was seated as an OAU member in 1984 with guerrilla activities continued sporadically, until an UN-monitored cease-fire was implemented 6 September 1991.
Western Sahara depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income. It lacks sufficient rainfall for agriculture, and most of the food for the urban population must be imported. Moroccan energy interests in 2001 signed contracts to explore for oil off the coast of Western Sahara, which has angered the Polisario. Incomes and standards of living in Western Sahara are substantially below the Moroccan level.
(http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/wi.html)
Attempts to hold a referendum have failed and the parties have rejected other proposals. Morocco wants all current residents of Western Sahara to vote in a referendum on its future, whilst Polisario wants only those who were resident at the time of Spain’s withdrawal to be eligible to vote and not the many Moroccan migrants who have settled there since. Morocco also has a territorial dispute with Spain, which controls three small possessions off the coast of Morocco - the islands of Penon de Alhucemas, Penon de Velez de la Gomera, and Islas Chafarinas and two autonomous communities on the coast of Morocco - Ceuta and Mellila. Morocco rejected Spain's unilateral designation of a median line from the Canary Islands in 2002 to explore undersea resources and to interdict illegal refugees from Africa. Last year this developed into a small crisis when Morocco briefly occupied one of the uninhabited islands, until they were removed by Spain.
(http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/mo.html)
 
Key Points
Morocco has occupied Western Sahara since 1975 in violation of resolutions by the UN Security Council and a decision by the International Court of Justice.
The United States has provided military, economic, and diplomatic support for Morocco’s war effort.
A cease-fire and proposed referendum bring promise for peace in the territory, but U.S. leadership is needed to insure implementation.
Spain had promised the country independence, but pressure from Morocco and the U.S. forced the Spanish government, in the midst of its own delicate transition to democratic rule, to capitulate. The U.S. was concerned about the prospects of an independent Western Sahara under the Polisario Front, the left-leaning independence movement, and also wished to boost the political fortunes of Morocco’s pro-Western monarch, King Hassan II.
Moroccan forces invaded the territory, but initially suffered heavy losses to the Polisario. Mauritania was defeated outright and withdrew. By 1987, however, due in large part to large-scale American military support, Morocco succeeded in conquering virtually the entire territory, including the former Mauritanian sector. The U.S. blocked enforcement of the 1975 UN Security Council resolution demanding Morocco’s withdrawal and recognizing Western Sahara’s right to national self-determination. The country remains occupied today, with most of the indigenous population, known as Sahrawis, exiled in refugee camps in neighboring Algeria.
There has been a cease-fire in effect since 1991, but the promised UN-supervised referendum on the fate of the territory has yet to take place. The long-running diplomatic stalemate was broken through the efforts of UN Special Envoy and former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker in September 1997 in an agreement between representatives of Morocco and the Polisario Front. The parties agreed on an identification process for voters and a code of conduct for the long-awaited plebiscite to determine whether the territory becomes independent or is integrated into Morocco.
(http://www.foreignpolicy-infocus.org/briefs/vol3/v3n42mor.html)
United States of America’s Policy
The following is extracted from a paper written by Stephen Zunes, an Assistant Professor of Politics at the University of San Francisco.
The U.S. and Morocco have a longstanding special relationship. They have had a treaty of friendship since 1787, the longest unbroken peace agreement the U.S. has maintained with any country in the world. Morocco has nearly thirty million people, making it the second largest Arab county, and is rich in mineral resources that may become important to the U.S. in coming years. It is strategically located in the northwest corner of Africa, bordering both the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, and includes the Straits of Gibraltar. Since 1950, Morocco has received more U.S. aid than any other Arab or African country, except for Egypt. Indeed, since the beginning of the war over Western Sahara, Morocco has received more than one-fifth of all U.S. aid to the continent, totaling more than $1 billion in military assistance and $1.3 billion in economic aid.
In return, Morocco has remained one of Washington’s closest strategic allies in either Africa or the Arab world, particularly during the Reagan administration. Morocco allows the U.S. Navy access to its port facilities and grants the U.S. Air Force landing, refueling, and over flight rights. There has been close bi-national cooperation in intelligence and communications. Despite a history of close relations with Iraq, Morocco sent forces to Saudi Arabia in 1990 to support the U.S.-led war effort to liberate Kuwait. In addition, the United States and Morocco have cooperated militarily in supporting pro-Western regimes in Africa, and Morocco has engaged in destabilizing efforts against radical African states, with apparent close collaboration with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has been largely silent about the Moroccan government’s human rights abuses. With the demise of the anticommunist rationale for the cold war, Morocco is now being touted as a bulwark against Islamic extremism and as a model for U.S.-backed economic reforms.
 
Despite recommendations by the 1992 Senate Foreign Relations Committee report urging Washington to pressure Morocco to comply with the terms of the accord, the shift in U.S. policy back toward the strong pro-Moroccan position of the Reagan administration was strengthened still further when President Clinton assumed office. In November 1995, the United States sponsored a UN Security Council resolution that would have forced the referendum to proceed without Polisario approval, based largely on Moroccan-supported voter rolls. This resolution was withdrawn, however, as a result of vigorous protests from Algeria and South Africa.
The Houston Agreement reiterates and strengthens the key aspects of the original UN settlement: refugee repatriation, troop confinement, release of prisoners, freedom to campaign, access for accredited international observers, equal access by the parties to the media, and UN authority to intervene to insure the fairness of the electoral process. The agreement’s definition of eligible voters appears to be much closer to the Polisario’s assumption of a legalistic territorial meaning than to Morocco’s rather vague ethnic referents.
(http://www.foreignpolicy-infocus.org/briefs/vol3/v3n42mor.html)
Human Rights
Morocco
In Amnesty International’s 2002 Annual Report it noted that the Moroccan government has recently reformed the structure and mandate of the Human Rights Advisory Board. Changes introduced by it included expanding the Board's mandate to allow it to examine individual cases of human rights violations and to increase the representation of non-governmental organizations on the Board. A new institution was created to deal with complaints from citizens who considered they had been unjustly treated by the authorities. King Mohamed VI announced the creation of a royal commission responsible for revising the moudawana (personal status code), which discriminates against women.
Despite the authorities' stated commitment to address all past human rights violations, no additional steps were taken to adequately resolve the cases of grave abuses committed between the mid-1960s and the early 1990s, notably the disappearance of several hundred people, the majority of them Sahrawis. Among them were some 70 Sahrawis who ''disappeared'' in the secret detention centres of Agdz, Qal'at M'gouna and Laayoune between 1976 and 1991. Investigations to establish responsibility for the grave and systematic human rights violations, which occurred in the past, are not known to have been opened and the perpetrators, including those responsible for gross violations over long periods, have not been brought to justice.
The Moroccan authorities released 56 political prisoners, including prisoners of conscience, following a royal pardon. Other releases involved people who had been imprisoned following trials since 1999 in connection with demonstrations in September 1999 in the cities of Laayoune and Marrakech, which were violently suppressed by the security forces. The courts did not investigate allegations that dozens of the protesters had been tortured in detention during their trials. However, some 30 political prisoners, including a prisoner of conscience, sentenced after unfair trials since the 1970s continued to be detained.

Restrictions on freedom of expression continued to be imposed. Journalists were punished for work deemed to be critical of the authorities. Foreign journalists were expelled from the country, certain editions of foreign and domestic publications were banned and Moroccan journalists were sentenced to prison terms.

Polisario Camps in Algeria

According to Amnesty International freedom of expression, association and movement continued to be restricted in Polisario’s camps near Tindouf in southwestern Algeria. Those responsible for human rights abuses in the camps in previous years enjoy impunity. The Polisario authorities failed to hand over perpetrators resident in the camps to the Algerian authorities to be brought to justice.
(http://web.amnesty.org/web/ar2002.nsf/mde/morocco!Open)
 
ANC 51^st National Congress Resolution on Western Sahara
Noting:
Our historic support for the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination, and our fraternal relations with Polisario Front.
Therefore Resolves:
To urge the South African government to take special initiatives to advance the process to reach an early settlement.
The ANC reaffirms its support of the struggle of the Saharawi people for self-determination.
(http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/conf/conference51/index.html)
 
South Africa’s Government’s Policy
Diplomatic relations between South Africa and Morocco were established in 1991. South African has a special relationship and a Joint Commissions held annually at Ministerial level with Morocco. Due to Morocco’s large economy it will be crucial in the realisation of the objectives espoused by Nepad and the AU. Through the Magreb Arab Union (UMA), North African countries are trying to organise themselves into a political and economic union, but the Western Sahara issue is impeding an effective union.
(http://www.dfa.gov.za/for-relations/bilateral/morocco.htm)
http://www.dfa.gov.za/events/afran.htm
 
South African – Moroccan Trade Statistics (all figures in ZAR'000)

(www.statssa.gov.za)

(http://www.thedti.gov.za/econdb/raportt/rapcoun.html)

Agreements Between South Africa and Morocco
The following Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding have been signed:
Air Service Agreement
Agricultural Research Agreement
Agreement between the Chamber of Commerce of Casablanca and JCCI
Joint Bilateral Commission
Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Departments of Foreign Affairs
Memorandum of Understanding between the Atomic Energy Corporation of SA and the Centre National de l'Energie des Sciences et des Techniques Nucléaires Morocco for Cooperation in the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Technology
(http://www.dfa.gov.za/for-relations/bilateral/morocco.htm)
Profile of Morocco
Population: 30m
Life expectancy: 67 years (men), 71 years (women)
Main exports: Minerals, seafood products, citrus fruit
Area: 172,414 sq.mi.
Suffrage: 20 years old; Moroccan citizenship
GDP: $108 bln. (1999) per capita $3,641
Growth: 0.0% (1999)
Unemployment: 19.0% (1998)
Inflation: 1.9% (1999)
Budget: Rev. $9.1 bln., Exp. $10.0 bln. (1999)
Imports: $7.2 bln. (1994, c.i.f.); partners France 22%, Spain 10%, United States 7%, Italy 6%, Germany 6%
Exports: $4.0 bln. (1994, f.o.b.); partners France 27%, Spain 11%, India 7%, Japan 6%, Italy 5%
King Mohammed was enthroned on 23 July 1999, after the death of his father King Hassan II. The king appoints the prime minister, (currently Driss Jetou) who in turn chooses a government.
In a television address shortly after his father's death the new monarch declared his commitment to constitutional monarchy, political pluralism and economic liberalism. He promised to tackle poverty and corruption, create jobs and address Morocco's human rights record. Mohammed VI enjoys the support of many of the country's reformers and young people but is opposed by many Islamic conservatives. Some critics have questioned his ability to uphold human rights and free speech.
Morocco is bidding for membership of the EU, with whom it conducts most of its trade, but there appears to be little enthusiasm for the idea within Europe itself.
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/country_profiles/791867.stm)
Assembly of Representatives [Majlis al-Nuwab]: 325 representatives; elected by plurality vote from single-seat constituencies; 5 year term
Assembly of Councillors [Majlis al-Mustasharin]: 270 members; indirectly elected by 2 electoral colleges (162 elected by local councils, 108 elected by industry, agriculture, and trade unions); 9 year term.
Constitutional Council: 9 members; 5 nominated by the King, 4 nominated by the President of the Assembly; 6 year term, 2 cycles.
Supreme Court: nominated by the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, elected by the Assembly, appointed by the King.
Results Of The Elections:
Election Type: Parliamentary
Date: September 27, 2002
Party: Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP)
Leader: Abderrahmane YOUSSOUFI
Seats won in this election: 50
Seats won in last election: 57
Party: Istiqlal Party (IP)
Leader: Abbès EL-FASSI
Seats won in this election: 48
Seats won in last election: 32
Party: Party of Justice and Development (PJD)
Leader: Dr. Abdelkarim KHATIB
Seats won in this election: 42
Seats won in last election: 9
Party: National Rally of Independents (RNI)
Leader: Ahmed OSMAN
Seats won in this election: 41
Seats won in last election: 46
Party: Popular Movement (MP)
Leader: Mohamed LAENSER
Seats won in this election: 27
Seats won in last election: 40
Party: National Popular Movement (MNP)
Leader: Mahjoubi AHERNDANE
Seats won in this election: 18
Seats won in last election: 19
Party: Constitutional Union (UC)
Leader: Mohamed ABIED
Seats won in this election: 16
Seats won in last election: 50
Party: Democratic Forces Front (FFD)
Leader: Thami KHIARI
Seats won in this election: 12
Seats won in last election: 9
Party: National Democratic Party (PND)
Leader: Abdellah ELKADIRI
Seats won in this election: 12
Seats won in last election: 10
Party: Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS)
Leader: Ismail ALAOUI
Seats won in this election: 11
Seats won in last election: 9
Party: Social Democratic Movement (MDS)
Leader: Mahmoud ARCHANE
Seats won in this election: 7
Seats won in last election: 32
Party: Democratic Socialist Party (PSD)
Leader: Aissa OUARDIGHI
Seats won in this election: 6
Seats won in last election: 5
Party: Democratic Party for Independence (PDI)
Leader: Abdelwahed MAACH
Seats won in this election: 2
Seats won in last election: 1
(http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/election.watch/africa/morocco2.html)
Profile of Western Sahara (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic)
Area: 102,703 sq.mi.
Status: territory (1979)
Population: 244,943
Ethnicity: Arab, Berber
Languages: Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic
Religions: Muslim
(http://www.polisci.com/almanac/nations/nation/MO.htm)
Issues for Members to Consider
The status of diplomatic relations between South Africa and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
Their impact upon relations between South Africa and Morocco.
South Africa’s role as the Chair of the AU and the Non-Aligned Movement in helping to resolve the conflict.
Measures which South Africa, the AU, United Nations and other key rolepayers can use in order to help move the settlement process forward, in particular with regards to encouraging Morocco’s cooperation in this regard.
What assistance can South Africa provide to the refugees staying at Polisario’s camps in Algeria.
Map of Morocco
(http://www.dti.gov.za/econdb/trademap/morocc-w1.gif)
Map of Western Sahara
(http://www.dti.gov.za/econdb/trademap/saharw-w1.gif)
 
Sources
www.amnesty.org
www.anc.org.za
www.bbc.couk
www.cia.gov
www.cnn.com
www.dfa.gov.za
www.dti.gov.za
www.foreignpolicy-infocus.org
www.polisci.com
www.statssa.gov.za