The Representative of the Polisario Front to the United Nations, Abi Bouchraya Bachir, described 2024 as a significant year in the history of the Sahrawi people. He praised the progress made in their struggle for self-determination despite mounting challenges. He emphasized that the Front, after waiting a decade for a supportive European legal ruling, will not compromise on its implementation and is prepared to take decisive measures if necessary.
A European court ruling in 2024 dealt a major blow to Morocco, stripping it of economic and political tools used to sustain its illegal occupation of Western Sahara. Despite Moroccan claims that the case is closed, the issue remains prominent on the international stage. The UN General Assembly reaffirmed Western Sahara’s status as a territory awaiting decolonization, with strong support from global leaders for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.
Mohamed Sidati Amar, the Polisario Front’s UN Representative, highlighted that the continued inclusion of Western Sahara on the UN agenda represents a significant achievement. He stressed the steadfastness of the legal framework governing the issue and the legitimacy of the Sahrawi struggle.
Meanwhile, Morocco continues its illegal exploitation of Western Sahara’s natural resources, including phosphate smuggling, in defiance of international law. Human rights violations, such as racial discrimination, land seizures, and the exclusion of foreign journalists and observers, have intensified. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern over the lack of access for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to the occupied territories, highlighting the need for independent monitoring.
Despite Morocco’s attempts to obscure its failures, the Sahrawi struggle remains resilient, bolstered by international support. The year 2024 marks a pivotal step toward justice for the people of Western Sahara
