Overview/Cases/Western Sahara
UnresolvedAfrica · Frozen since 1991

Western Sahara

Western Sahara has been largely frozen since a 1991 ceasefire. Most of the territory is under Moroccan control, with inner Polisario-controlled areas forming the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. A UN-promised referendum has never been held.

Key Fact

A UN-promised self-determination referendum has been delayed for over 30 years. Morocco controls ~80% of the territory and has invested heavily in infrastructure to consolidate its claim.