Page 32 - The Nile Explorer Magazine 011

similar to European constitutions. Even
though the constitution was used to
govern the territory, some clauses were
suspended until full independence is
achieved. The constitution recognizes
the Sahrawis as Africans, Arabs, and
Muslim people.
Western Sahara has had two capital
cities in its history; Tifariti and
Laayoune. Laayoune was designated
the capital of Spanish Sahara in 1940
by the Spanish. It is the largest and
the most populous city in the region
of Western Sahara, accounting for
approximately 40% of the population.
Laayoune was founded in 1938 by
Antonio de Oro, a Spanish explorer.
However, it is currently the capital
of Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra, one
of Morocco’s 12 regions. The city is
administered by Morocco under the
supervision of the United Nations
peacekeeping mission. The de facto A crowd at the 30th Independence Day celebration in 2005 in the city
capital city of Western Sahara is Tafariti. of Tifariti. Western Sahara proclaimed independence from Spain in
It has been the capital of the region
since 2011 and is the headquarters of 2975(FILE PHOTO)
the 2nd military region of the SADR.
Tifariti is located in the northwestern This underscored the right to a
region of Western Sahara, referendum on self-determination
approximately 9 miles from Mauritania under UN General Assembly
and 86 miles from Smara. The city is Resolution 1514 (XV) adopted in
part of what Morocco calls the “Buffer 1960, The General Assembly has
Zone” while Polisario Front refers to always maintained that the people
it as “Liberated Territory.” As of 2010, of Western Sahara are entitled to A map showing North western part of Africa
the city has a population of 3,000 the right to self-determination. The
people, way below the population of International Court of Justice (ICJ) In response to the ICJ Advisory
Laayoune. Tifariti houses government issued an advisory opinion on the Opinion, King Hassan II of Morocco
quarters, SADR’s parliament, museum, status of Western Sahara on 16 in November 1975 ordered a “Green
hospital, school, and a mosque. October 1975 at the request of the March” of over 350,000 Moroccans
The Territory of Western Sahara UN General Assembly. In the opinion, into Western Sahara, disregarding a
became a Spanish colony in 1884. the ICJ dismissed the sovereignty formal call from the Security Council
During the time when the territory claims by Morocco and Mauritania. to put an end forthwith to the declared
was a colony of Spain, it was known as After the ICJ delivered its opinion, march into Western Sahara”.
Spanish Sahara. The territory borders Spain entered into a secret agreement Before Spain’s withdrawal as the
Morocco in the North, Mauritania with Morocco and Mauritania administering power, the General
in the South and East, Algeria in (Madrid Accords) which purported Assembly had demanded that Spain
the East and the Atlantic Ocean in to authorize Spain’s withdrawal from should undertake immediate steps
the West. In 1963, Western Sahara the Territory of Western Sahara and to guarantee the exercise of self-
was included on the list of non-self- permit the occupation by Morocco determination by the people of
governing territories under Article and Mauritania. Western Sahara.
73 of the UN Charter and Spain On 31 October 1975, Morocco Following the Madrid Accords,
was the administering power. The invaded Western Sahara on the pretext Moroccan and Mauritanian armed
General Assembly had demanded that of claiming the territory, despite the forces invaded Western Sahara. This
Spain should undertake immediate ICJ’s advisory opinion on the issue, invasion led to a war by Moroccan
steps to guarantee the exercise of that clearly stated that there were no and Mauritanian forces on the one
self determination by the people of legal ties between either Morocco or hand against the Polisario Front, on
Western Sahara. Mauritania with the Western Sahara. the other. The Polisario Front is a

32 | The Nile Explorer 011