Factors that promoted /Reasons for Polisario war of independence

Western Sahara was a Spanish colony from 1884 until 1975. Spain claimed the territory as a protectorate and later combined separate districts to form the province of Spanish Sahara in 1958. The Polisario Front’s war of independence in Western Sahara was driven by several key factors:

Spanish Rule: Western Sahara was a Spanish colony from 1884 until 1975. The Spanish exploited the region’s resources, including phosphate deposits and fishing grounds, while neglecting the needs of the indigenous Sahrawi people.

Desire for Self-Determination: The Sahrawi people, led by the Polisario Front, sought self-determination and independence from colonial rule. The Polisario Front was formed in 1973 to fight for the liberation of Western Sahara.

Support from Socialist Countries: The Polisario Front received military and economic assistance from socialist countries like Algeria, Libya, and the Soviet Union.

African Solidarity: Other African nations like Morocco and the Organization of African Unity (OAU) supported the Sahrawi cause.

Discrimination and Oppression: The Spanish colonial administration imposed repressive measures, racial discrimination, and limited access to education and employment for the Sahrawi people which made them discontented and sought to fight for self-determination.

Geopolitical Significance: Western Sahara’s strategic location and natural resources made it a valuable territory for colonial powers, leading to resistance from the indigenous population.

Religious differences: The Christian Spaniards and their way of life could not be tolerated by Muslim Saharawians.

Corruption: Government officials  took advantages of the war to amass wealth in the guise of buying weapons and paying for war costs.

Green March: In 1975, Morocco organized the Green March, where 350,000 unarmed Moroccans crossed into Western Sahara, leading to Spain’s withdrawal.

Annexation by Morocco: After Spain’s withdrawal, Morocco annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara, which intensified the conflict with the Polisario Front.

Influence from independent African nations: Independence of African nations like Liberia and other independent nations like Vietnam inspired Western Sahara to fight for its independence.

These factors combined to fuel the Polisario Front’s war of independence, which continues to this day as the Sahrawi people seek full recognition and self-determination

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Dr. Bbosa Science