Polisario Front Condemns European Airlines Operating in Occupied Western Sahara

Ambassador Ubbi Bushraya Bashir, the Polisario Front’s representative in Switzerland and to the United Nations and international organizations in Geneva, condemned what he called “an attempt to impose a fait accompli regarding the occupation of Western Sahara by involving European economic actors.” He emphasized that airlines operating in the disputed region are “acting outside the framework of international legality” and warned that European companies could face legal consequences if they continue their activities there.

In an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP), Bashir reminded that the European Commission had previously warned airlines in December that the EU-Morocco Euro-Mediterranean Air Agreement “does not apply to the airspace of Western Sahara.” This statement has drawn renewed attention to the legal status of the region, particularly in light of ongoing debates over international agreements.

The issue also highlights the legal complexities surrounding EU-Morocco trade relations, including disputes over fisheries and agriculture agreements that were annulled by the European Court of Justice in October 2024. The court ruling affirmed that “Western Sahara and the Kingdom of Morocco are distinct and separate territories” and underlined that such agreements could not be made without the consent of the Sahrawi people.