General information
Type of Incompatibility: Territory
Comment on Type of Incompatibility: The incompatibility concerns the territory of Western Sahara, comprising Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro, for which POLISARIO demands independence. Initially, Morocco claimed the northern part of the territory, while Mauritania claimed the southern part. However, following POLISARIO’s peace agreement with Mauritania on 5 August 1979, and the latter’s withdrawal, Morocco moved in and extended its sovereignty claim to the whole territory. Thus, from then on, POLISARIO and Morocco fought over the whole of the territory known as Western Sahara.
Territory: Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (Western Sahara)
Date of first stated goal of incompatibility: 1975-07-06
Comment on date of first stated goals of incompatibility: POLISARIO first announced its incompatibility vis-à-vis Morocco on 6 July 1975. Following the revelation of a secret agreement between Morocco and Mauritania to divide the territory of Western Sahara (then Spanish Sahara) between them, POLISARIO issued a statement arguing that “Faced with this threat, it is no longer a question of fighting against colonialism for independence; it is simply a question of the existence of our people. (…) We affirm that there will be no peace in the Sahara so long as the people have not been able to exercise their right to self-determination."
Date of first use of armed force: 1975-09-01
Comment on first use of armed force: The first reported clash between POLISARIO and Moroccan soldiers occurred on 1 September 1975. Up until this point, POLISARIO had mainly attacked the Spanish army, but on this date Spanish sources reported that POLISARIO had ambushed a group of Moroccan soldiers, killing 11. This shift on behalf of POLISARIO came after Spain had begun to seek a peaceful settlement through negotiation with POLISARIO, while Morocco rejected the Spanish plan for self-determination for Western Sahara.
Date of first battle related death: 1975-09-01
Comment on first battle related death: The first reported clash between POLISARIO and Moroccan soldiers occurred on 1 September 1975. Up until this point, POLISARIO had mainly attacked the Spanish army, but on this date Spanish sources reported that POLISARIO had ambushed a group of Moroccan soldiers, killing 11. This shift on behalf of POLISARIO came after Spain had begun to seek a peaceful settlement through negotiation with POLISARIO, while Morocco rejected the Spanish plan for self-determination for Western Sahara.
Date of conflict reached 25 battle releated deaths: 1975-11-04
Comment on conflict reached 25 battle releated deaths: By 4 November 1975, fighting between POLISARIO and Moroccan forces had caused more than 25 deaths. On this date, POLISARIO fighters and Moroccan soldiers clashed at Jdiria, killing 40.
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1975
Primary Parties: Government of Morocco - POLISARIO
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1976
Primary Parties: Government of Morocco - POLISARIO
Secondary Warring Parties Side B: Government of Algeria
Dimension: Internationalized intrastate
Comment on Dimension: The armed conflict between POLISARIO and Morocco in 1976 also saw the involvement of Algerian troops, fighting on the side of POLISARIO.
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1977
Primary Parties: Government of Morocco - POLISARIO
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1978
Primary Parties: Government of Morocco - POLISARIO
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1979
Primary Parties: Government of Morocco - POLISARIO
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1980
Primary Parties: Government of Morocco - POLISARIO
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1981
Primary Parties: Government of Morocco - POLISARIO
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1982
Primary Parties: Government of Morocco - POLISARIO
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1983
Primary Parties: Government of Morocco - POLISARIO
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1984
Primary Parties: Government of Morocco - POLISARIO
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1985
Primary Parties: Government of Morocco - POLISARIO
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1986
Primary Parties: Government of Morocco - POLISARIO
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1987
Primary Parties: Government of Morocco - POLISARIO
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1988
Primary Parties: Government of Morocco - POLISARIO
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1989
Primary Parties: Government of Morocco - POLISARIO
Dimension: Internal
Comment on Dimension: There is no military involvement of foreign states this year; thus, the conflict is coded as strictly intrastate.
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 378 |
| Best | 207 |
| Low | 207 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1990
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1991
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 21 |
| Best | 19 |
| Low | 19 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1992
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1993
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1994
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1995
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1996
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1997
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1998
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1999
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2000
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2001
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2002
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2003
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2004
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2005
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2006
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2007
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2008
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2009
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2010
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2011
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2012
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2013
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2014
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2015
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2016
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2017
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2018
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2019
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2020
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 2 |
| Best | 2 |
| Low | 2 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2021
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 34 |
| Best | 6 |
| Low | 6 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2022
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 14 |
| Best | 14 |
| Low | 14 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2023
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 5 |
| Best | 5 |
| Low | 5 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2024
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 7 |
| Best | 7 |
| Low | 7 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2025
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 7 |
| Best | 7 |
| Low | 7 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Conflict Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1975 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The first clashes between POLISARIO and Moroccan forces broke out in the fall of 1975. Following reports that Morocco would annex the territory after Spain’s withdrawal, the rebels stopped attacking Spanish soldiers and shifted to Moroccan targets. A number of clashes took place during the remainder of the year, mainly in the northernmost part of Western Sahara but also in southern Morocco proper.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: Best estimate: 96, low estimate: 96, high estimate: 96
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1976 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The armed conflict between POLISARIO and Morocco in 1976 also saw the involvement of Algerian troops, fighting on the side of POLISARIO. Fighting during the year centered around strategic positions in the northern part of Western Sahara as well as Guelta Zemmour, further south. POLISARIO had set up the administration of the proclaimed Saharan Arab Democratic Republic in Guelta Zemmour, and suffered a major blow when it was captured by the Moroccans April.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "Best estimate: 349, low estimate: 349, high estimate: 945
Often, the only available reports of battle-related deaths were the parties’ own claims of losses inflicted on the adversary. Such claims, particularly by POLISARIO, were often regarded with skepticism. Therefore, the best estimates usually rely mainly on the parties’ own admitted losses, resulting in a large divergence between the best and high estimates. The true death toll probably lies somewhere in between these estimates."
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: UN/Olof Rydbeck
Comment on Third Party Involvement: The UN in late January appointed the Swedish permanent representative Olof Rydbeck as a special mediator for the Western Sahara conflict, with the mission to achieve a solution that would allow the Saharawi people self-determination. During February, Rydbeck held talks with Mauritanian, Moroccan and Spanish officials, and with POLISARIO as well as other Saharawi organizations. However, the parties rejected negotiations at this time.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1977 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In January, Morocco reportedly prepared to launch a major operation to flush POLISARIO out of the Moroccan-held part of Western Sahara; however, the operation was apparently cancelled after meeting strong resistance from the rebels. POLISARIO targeted the Bu Craa phosphate mines during 1977, and threatened to attack foreign workers. Morocco at times accused Algeria of continued active involvement, but there was no evidence of Algerian participation as a secondary warring party in 1977.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: Best estimate: 54, low estimate: 54, high estimate: 54
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1978 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Sporadic fighting continued in 1978. After having declared a ceasefire in its conflict against Mauritania, POLISARIO was able to focus its forces against Moroccan targets during the latter half of the year. Heavy fighting was reported in September in southern Morocco.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "low estimate: 25, high estimate: 621
Often, the only available reports of battle-related deaths were the parties’ own claims of losses inflicted on the adversary. Such claims, particularly by POLISARIO, were often regarded with skepticism. Therefore, the best estimates usually rely mainly on the parties’ own admitted losses, resulting in a large divergence between the best and high estimates. The true death toll probably lies somewhere in between these estimates."
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: In October, talks regarding a possible ceasefire were held between POLISARIO and Moroccan officials in Mali. However, no major progress appears to have been made at these talks.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: OAU; Mali’s President Moussa Traoré
Comment on Third Party Involvement: In July, the OAU set up a “committee of wise men” tasked with assessing the situation finding a mutually acceptable solution of the Western Sahara conflict, with the end goal being a referendum for self-determination. Mali’s President Moussa Traoré hosted ceasefire talks between POLISARIO and Morocco in October.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1979 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The conflict escalated in 1979. In January, POLISARIO announced the launch of a Houari Boumedienne offensive (in honour of the Algerian President who had died in late 1978). Meanwhile, POLISARIO had declared a ceasefire in its conflict against Mauritania in mid-1978, allowing the group to focus its forces against Moroccan targets. Following POLISARIO’s peace agreement with Mauritania on 5 August 1979, and the latter’s withdrawal from the southern part of Western Sahara, Morocco moved in and seized this territory, extending its sovereignty claim to the whole territory. Heavy fighting took place particularly during the later half of the year.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "Best estimate: 2006, low estimate: 921, high estimate: 5751
Often, the only available reports of battle-related deaths were the parties’ own claims of losses inflicted on the adversary. Such claims, particularly by POLISARIO, were often regarded with skepticism. Therefore, the best estimates usually rely mainly on the parties’ own admitted losses, resulting in a large divergence between the best and high estimates. The true death toll probably lies somewhere in between these estimates."
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: OAU
Comment on Third Party Involvement: In July 1979, the OAU “committee of wise men” set up a year earlier issued a settlement proposal. The proposal, which was endorsed by the OAU at its 1979 summit, outlined an immediate ceasefire followed by a referendum where the Saharawi people would be given the choice of total independence or maintaining the status quo.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1980 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: By early 1980, it was reported that Morocco was in control of the territory and strategic positions along the coast, and stretching inland to include the Bu Craa phosphate mining area and Smara (together making up the what was called the “useful triangle” of Western Sahara), while POLISARIO controlled parts of Western Sahara and southern Morocco in a 60 mile radius of Tindouf in western Algeria, where its main bases were situated. In between Moroccan and POLISARIO positions lay large swathes of desert, where the rebels were reportedly able to move at ease.
A major campaign was launched by Morocco during the spring to recapture Zag, near the eastern border with Algeria. Some 7000 troops participated in the first thrust, which was beaten back by POLISARIO in March. In May, Morocco amassed some 20 000 troops and finally succeeded in capturing Zag. During the summer, another major campaign was launched, aiming to push POLISARIO south and affirm Moroccan control of the “useful triangle”. Fighting during the fall became concentrated around Ras El-Khanfra and Khreibichatt at the base of the Zini mountains, in the border area between Morocco and Western Sahara. In August, Morocco began the construction of a defensive wall which would protect the “useful triangle”. With the bulk of the Moroccan army tied up in this region, POLISARIO also launched attacks against towns further north, including Akka and Tata hundreds of kilometers inside Morocco proper.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "Best estimate: 1151, low estimate: 1151, high estimate: 4223
Often, the only available reports of battle-related deaths were the parties’ own claims of losses inflicted on the adversary. Such claims, particularly by POLISARIO, were often regarded with skepticism. Therefore, the best estimates usually rely mainly on the parties’ own admitted losses, resulting in a large divergence between the best and high estimates. The true death toll probably lies somewhere in between these estimates."
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: No direct negotiations between POLISARIO and Morocco were held in 1980, despite repeated announcements by the rebels that they were prepared to hold direct negotiations with the government. However, the OAU “committee of wise men” set up in 1978 held a meeting in Freetown on 9-12 September, at which Morocco and POLISARIO (as well as Algeria and Mauritania) were represented. At the end of the meeting, the OAU committee presented a proposal for a ceasefire by the end of the year, a UN peacekeeping force and the holding of a referendum organized jointly by the UN and the OAU. The proposal was accepted by POLISARIO (with the addition that Moroccan forces must be withdrawn in order for the referendum to be free and fair), while Morocco rejected it. Although it agreed in principle to the idea of a referendum, the arrangement Morocco envisioned would not include international supervision and the Saharawi refugees in Algerian camps would not be consulted.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: OAU
Comment on Third Party Involvement: The OAU “committee of wise men” set up in 1978 held a meeting in Freetown on 9-12 September, at which Morocco and POLISARIO (as well as Algeria and Mauritania) were represented. At the end of the meeting, the OAU committee presented a proposal for a ceasefire by the end of the year, a UN peacekeeping force and the holding of a referendum organized jointly by the UN and the OAU. The proposal was accepted by POLISARIO (with the addition that Moroccan forces must be withdrawn in order for the referendum to be free and fair), while Morocco rejected it.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1981 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In May 1981, Morocco finished the construction of a “defensive wall” protecting its positions along the coast in northern Western Sahara. The territory held by Morocco, which included Smara and the Bou-Craa phosphate mines further inland, was referred to as the “useful triangle” of Western Sahara. Meanwhile, a massive POLISARIO attack in October drove the Moroccan army out of its previous stronghold in Guelta Zemmour, further south. Although the Moroccan army recaptured the base, it soon abandoned it and withdrew the bulk of its forces to the defensive line. Reportedly, POLISARIO was able to move freely through most of the territory outside the “useful triangle”.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "Best estimate: 484, low estimate: 484, high estimate: 2679
Often, the only available reports of battle-related deaths were the parties’ own claims of losses inflicted on the adversary. Such claims, particularly by POLISARIO, were often regarded with skepticism. Therefore, the best estimates usually rely mainly on the parties’ own admitted losses, resulting in a large divergence between the best and high estimates. The true death toll probably lies somewhere in between these estimates."
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: The OAU continued to pursue a ceasefire and a referendum. However, while Morocco accepted the idea of a referendum in principle, it refused to negotiate directly with POLISARIO and rejected the idea of independence being an option in the referendum. This position was firmly stated by King Hassan during a national holiday in early March, at which time he declared that he would not agree to any solution which meant giving up part of Western Sahara. Before his departure to an OAU summit in June, King Hassan famously stated that “we will not renounce a single grain of sand of this Moroccan Sahara” following all the human and financial costs the country had incurred in the struggle.
At the Nairobi summit in June 1981, the OAU adopted an eight-point peace plan for Western Sahara. Having gained a conditioned acceptance from Morocco on a referendum, the plan proposed an OAU Implementation Committee, a ceasefire, a joint UN-OAU peacekeeping force, and the holding of a free and fair referendum on self-determination. However, Morocco subsequently made clear that it would not allow POLISARIO to campaign before the referendum, not let Saharawi refugees in Algeria (numbering some 100 000) vote. King Hassan made it clear that the only acceptable outcome would be a “confirmation” of Moroccan sovereignty. Meanwhile, POLISARIO announced a number of conditions that needed to be fulfilled for the referendum to be free and fair, including direct negotiations between the primary warring parties, withdrawal of Moroccan troops, return of Saharawi refugees, release of political prisoners and an international interim administration.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: OAU
Comment on Third Party Involvement: At the Nairobi summit in June 1981, the OAU adopted an eight-point peace plan for Western Sahara. Having gained a conditioned acceptance from Morocco on a referendum, the plan proposed an OAU Implementation Committee, a ceasefire, a joint UN-OAU peacekeeping force, and the holding of a free and fair referendum on self-determination. Although it was soon clear that it would be very difficult to get agreement by Morocco and POLISARIO for implementation of the plan, the Implementation Committee held a first meeting in August, during which they held talks with Morocco, POLISARIO and other concerned parties. It also further outlined the principles for the envisioned referendum.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1982 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Following Morocco’s change in tactics to retrenchment in the area referred to as the “useful triangle”, the conflict intensity decreased in 1982. To penetrate the protective barrier constructed by the Moroccan army would require heavy weaponry and thousands of fighters, and POLISARIO did not stage such an attempt during the year. Rather, the rebels staged sporadic hit-and-run attacks at different points along the barrier. While the defensive line was not breached, these sporadic and unpredictable attacks reportedly wore heavily on the morale of the Moroccan soldiers.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: low estimate: 25
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: No progress was made in the OAU peace process, as Morocco continued to refuse to negotiate directly with POLISARIO. Meanwhile, in April, secret talks were held between Moroccan and POLISARIO officials in Algiers. However, it appears these talks were only exploratory and did not address the incompatibility, thus they did not constitute formal negotiations.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: OAU
Comment on Third Party Involvement: The OAU Implementation Committee made continued attempts to move the peace process forward, but failed due to continued refusal by Morocco to negotiate with POLISARIO.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1983 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In January, a POLISARIO spokesperson declared that the rebels were at a stage of mobilizing and preparing for a final assault on the Moroccan defensive line. Following a relative calm in the first half of the year, fighting escalated from July onwards. During the lull in fighting in 1982 and early 1983, the rebels had apparently acquired heavier weaponry, including tanks and sophisticated missiles, and in mid-1983 they began launching renewed attacks on Moroccan positions. Following a number of POLISARIO attacks, the Moroccan forces in October launched a massive offensive to push POLISARIO back.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "Best estimate: 95, low estimate: 95, high estimate: 1205
Often, the only available reports of battle-related deaths were the parties’ own claims of losses inflicted on the adversary. Such claims, particularly by POLISARIO, were often regarded with skepticism. Therefore, the best estimates usually rely mainly on the parties’ own admitted losses, resulting in a large divergence between the best and high estimates. The true death toll probably lies somewhere in between these estimates."
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: Despite attempts by the OAU to bring the parties to the negotiating table and start the process towards a referendum, no talks were held in 1983 as Morocco’s King Hassan refused to negotiate with POLISARIO.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: OAU
Comment on Third Party Involvement: The OAU during 1983 continued to seek endorsement by the parties of a plan for direct negotiations, a ceasefire and a referendum on self-determination. At a summit in June, a new resolution embracing these proposals was accepted, and the deadline for the referendum was set in December 1983. However, as Morocco continued to refuse to hold direct talks with POLISARIO, the plan was never implemented.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1984 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Following a major offensive against POLISARIO in late 1983, the Moroccan forces in 1984 extended the defensive lines by constructing a new section of wall which reached Amgala, east of Bou-Craa and near the border with Mauretania. This meant that the southern part of Western Sahara could only be reached by the rebels from their Algerian bases by crossing Mauritanian territory. Meanwhile, POLISARIO continued to carry out intermittent harassment raids and occasional stronger assaults against the Moroccan defensive line. In mid-October, the rebels launched a “Greater Maghreb Offensive”, resulting in heavy clashes with Moroccan forces near Zaag in southern Morocco. Another section of wall was then begun along the short border between Western Sahara and Algeria, resulting in further heavy fighting.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "Best estimate: 377, low estimate: 377, high estimate: 1192
Often, the only available reports of battle-related deaths were the parties’ own claims of losses inflicted on the adversary. Such claims, particularly by POLISARIO, were often regarded with skepticism. Therefore, the best estimates usually rely mainly on the parties’ own admitted losses, resulting in a large divergence between the best and high estimates. The true death toll probably lies somewhere in between these estimates."
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: Morocco’s King Hassan continued to reject negotiations with POLISARIO, and no negotiations were held in 1984. However, it was reported that “exploratory talks” had been held between POLISARIO and Moroccan officials during the spring, following talks between Morocco and Algeria.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1985 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Morocco continued the construction of new sections of defensive wall in 1985, and by September the wall extended a total 900 miles, from Zaag in southern Morocco to Dakhla on the coast in the southern part of Western Sahara. This meant that Morocco was now in control of two-thirds of Western Sahara. Meanwhile, POLISARIO continued to carry out small-scale harassment raids against the Moroccan defensive line, accompanied by occasional stronger assaults.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "low estimate: 25, high estimate: 717
Often, the only available reports of battle-related deaths were the parties’ own claims of losses inflicted on the adversary. Such claims, particularly by POLISARIO, were often regarded with skepticism. Therefore, the best estimates usually rely mainly on the parties’ own admitted losses, resulting in a large divergence between the best and high estimates. The true death toll probably lies somewhere in between these estimates."
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: No negotiations took place, as Morocco continued to refuse to talk directly to POLISARIO. As the OAU-sponsored peace process continued to stall, Morocco made an attempt to launch a process towards a referendum without prior negotiations with POLISARIO. A resolution to this effect was introduced at the UN General Assembly, but failed and instead a resolution along the lines of the OAU proposals was accepted.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1986 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: POLISARIO continued to carry out sporadic attacks on the Moroccan defensive wall, mainly in the Tifariti and Bir Lahlou in the north and around Amgala, Guelta Zemmour and Farsia in the south. Fighting reportedly escalated during the later half of the year.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: low estimate: 25
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: In April 1986, indirect talks were held in New York under the auspices of UN secretary-general Javier Pérez de Cuellar, who held separate talks with delegations representing Morocco and POLISARIO. Pérez de Cuellar was accompanied as mediator by Senegal’s Defense Minister Medoune Fall, representing the OAU, and Algerian and Mauritanian representatives were present as observers. The talks focused on finding a mutually accepted process for a referendum, but made little headway; POLISARIO insisted on direct negotiations and removal of Moroccan troops, demands which were rejected by Morocco.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: UN/secretary-general Javier Pérez de Cuellar, OAU/Medoune Fall and chairman Sassou Nguesso
Comment on Third Party Involvement: UN secretary-general Javier Pérez de Cuellar held proximity talks with the parties in New York in April. Pérez de Cuellar was accompanied in this effort by Senegal’s Defense Minister Medoune Fall, representing the OAU. After the talks failed to make any progress, Pérez de Cuellar and OAU chairman Sassou Nguesso continued to conduct separate talks with the parties.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1987 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In the first few months of 1987, Morocco built a new section of defensive wall, accompanied by heavy fighting as POLISARIO attempted to stop the construction. Following the completion of the wall, Morocco controlled an area stretching to the coastal town La Guera on the border with Mauretania. A brief ceasefire was announced by POLISARIO in late November, in order to allow a UN mission to safely travel through the areas where fighting was taking place and assess the situation.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "Best estimate: 354, low estimate: 354, high estimate: 1150
Often, the only available reports of battle-related deaths were the parties’ own claims of losses inflicted on the adversary. Such claims, particularly by POLISARIO, were often regarded with skepticism. Therefore, the best estimates usually rely mainly on the parties’ own admitted losses, resulting in a large divergence between the best and high estimates. The true death toll probably lies somewhere in between these estimates."
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: There were no negotiations between Morocco and POLISARIO in 1987, although King Hassan showed signs of taking a more conciliatory stance in July when he stated that if the Saharawi people voted for independence in a referendum then Morocco would be quick to establish friendly relations with the new state. Previously, King Hassan had firmly rejected the possibility of giving up the Western Saharan territory. This change in stance further reinforced an ongoing rapprochement between Morocco and Algeria, although the latter did not fully abandon its support for POLISARIO.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1988 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Fighting continued in 1988, notably around the Oum Dreiga area in the southern part of the territory.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: Best estimate: 51, low estimate: 51, high estimate: 196
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: In August, indirect talks in Geneva, mediated by UN secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuellar, culminated in the acceptance by both parties of a UN peace plan. The plan stipulated a ceasefire and subsequent referendum. However, POLISARIO underlined the need for withdrawal of Moroccan troops and guarantees by the UN ensuring that the referendum would be free and fair.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: UN secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuellar
Comment on Third Party Involvement: UN secretary-General Javier Pérez de Cuellar in August presided over indirect talks between POLISAIRO and Moroccan representatives in Geneva. The talks culminated in the acceptance by both parties of a UN peace plan. The plan stipulated a ceasefire and subsequent referendum. However, POLISARIO underlined the need for withdrawal of Moroccan troops and guarantees by the UN ensuring that the referendum would be free and fair.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1989 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: In early January 1989, a Polisario delegation, led by Mahfoud Ali Beiba, met with King Hassan in what was called an official meeting. The objective of the meeting was to discuss the UN-sponsored plan to end the war by holding a referendum to decide on the future status of the disputed territory. Several new rounds of talks were held throughout the first half of 1989. Political leaders of Algeria and Mauritania were present as well. The negotiation efforts effective as fresh fighting erupted in late September.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: UN
Comment on Third Party Involvement: UN Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar made some mediating efforts.
Victory: NO
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: No or Low Activity
Date of termination: 1989-12-31
Comment on Termination Date: 1989 was the last year when fighting between the parties to the conflict resulted in at least 25 deaths. Thus, the conflict is coded as terminated as of 31 December 1989.
1990 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Terminated: NO
1991 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: MINURSO
Comment on Third Party Involvement: The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). In 1991 the UN Security Council decided to establish a United Nation Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) to secure its settlement plan. A formal ceasefire came into effect in September, and MINURSO was subsequently deployed. Its mission was two-fold: to oversee the ceasefire as well as the coming referendum, scheduled for January the following year. However, the parties’ views continued to diverge with regard to the criteria for eligibility to vote, wherefore the referendum has been continuously postponed since 1991. The main task of MINURSO has thus been to act as a peace keeping force, separating the two parties.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1992 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Terminated: NO
1993 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: Representatives of the Moroccan government and Polisario met in July. They discussed the planned referendum regarding the status of the disputed territory, and specifically who were eligible to vote. The issue proved contentious and soon stalled the talks.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: MINURSO
Comment on Third Party Involvement: MINURSO's mandate was to monitor the ceasefire and organize and conduct a referendum which would allow the people of Western Sahara to decide the territory's future status.
Terminated: NO
1994 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: MINURSO
Comment on Third Party Involvement: In August 1994, MINURSO began the process of identifying potential voters.
Terminated: NO
1995 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: MINURSO
Comment on Third Party Involvement: MINURSO's mandate was to monitor the ceasefire and organize and conduct a referendum which would allow the people of Western Sahara to decide the territory's future status.
Terminated: NO
1996 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: MINURSO
Comment on Third Party Involvement: In May 1996, the civilian staff of MINURSO was mostly withdrawn and the identification process was suspended by the Secretary-General. MINURSO's military component remained to monitor and verify the ceasefire.
Terminated: NO
1997 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: Several rounds of negotiations were held in 1997, mediated by special envoy James Baker. Observers from Mauritania and Algeria attended the meeting. The talks were referred to as a "breakthrough" by POLISARIO. The negotiations resulted in an agreement (Houston Accords), which included aspects such as releases of prisoners, refugee repartriation, the identification of eligible voters, access for international observers and UN authority to intervene.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: MINURSO
Comment on Third Party Involvement: MINURSO mediated talks. Furthermore, the identification process was restarted in December.
Terminated: NO
1998 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: MINURSO
Comment on Third Party Involvement: In September 1998, the identification process was concluded. In October the Secretary-General presented measures to solve the conflict including a protocol on identification and a protocol on the appeals process. Frente POLISARIO accepted the deal the following month, but Morocco requested further clarifications.
Terminated: NO
1999 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: MINURSO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2000 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: Three face to face meetings were held during the year under the auspices of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy James Baker III. The first one took place in London in May, and was also attended by neighbouring Algeria and Mauritania. No progress was made, and the meeting ended with the envoy inviting the parties to come forward at the next meeting with concrete suggestions on how to resolve the multiple problems facing the settlement plan (i.e. the plan launched by the UN in 1988, and discussed ever since), or else, to be prepared to discuss alternative options. The second meeting was held in London in June. The parties both presented areas of difficulties with the settlement plan, but neither offered specific proposals to resolve these problematic areas, which both could agree to. In September, the third and final meeting of the year was held in Berlin. As no progress was made and neither party seemed open to discuss their position, the Secretary- General’s Personal Envoy suggested that new options should be explored. However, both POLISARIO and the Moroccan representatives reiterated their commitment to the settlement plan. However, they both continued to disagree on its correct implementation.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: MINURSO; Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Western Sahara
Comment on Third Party Involvement: The Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, James Baker III, mediated the three rounds of talks held during the year. In January, MINURSO published the Second Provisional Voters List.
Terminated: NO
2001 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: In May 2001 James Baker presented a draft "Framework agreement on the status of Western Sahara" (Baker Plan I) to Frente POLISARIO and to the Moroccan government. The plan was accepted by Morocco, but rejected by POLISARIO.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: MINURSO, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Western Sahara
Comment on Third Party Involvement: In 2001, the UN envoy James Baker presented his "Framework agreement on the status of Western Sahara" to the parties.
Terminated: NO
2002 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: MINURSO
Terminated: NO
2003 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: In January, UN Envoy James Baker presented a new peace plan to the parties. The "Peace plan for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara" (Baker Plan II) provided for a referendum to take place in four to five years time. The final vote would offer the inhabitants of the territory a choice between independence, autonomy within Morocco or complete integration with Morocco.The plan also proposed that, in the run-up to the referendum, an autonomous Western Sahara Authority would be made responsible for running key parts of the administration, taking control of local government, taxation, economic development, internal security and other dossiers. But Morocco would retain control over foreign relations, national security, external defence and all matters relating to the production, sale, ownership and use of weapons during the interim period. The peace plan was presented for the Security Council in March. In July the POLISARIO accepted the plan but the Moroccan government continued to oppose it. The main obstacle for the government was that one of the ballot choices was independence.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: MINURSO, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Western Sahara
Comment on Third Party Involvement: By its resolution 1495 of 31 July 2003, the Security Council extended MINURSO's mandate until 31 October 2003. UN special Envoy James Barker presented a new peace plan, the "Peace plan for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara" or "Baker Plan II", which provided for a referendum in four to five years time.
Terminated: NO
2004 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: Throughout the first half of 2004 UN envoy James Baker continued his efforts to find a solution to the West Saharan conflict. However, Morocco did not accept the plan that Baker had presented the previous year. The reason for this was that the plan involved a referendum in which the people in Western Sahara where to vote for autonomy, staying within the Moroccan state or independence; an alternative that Morocco did not accept. As a result of this Baker resigned as the top UN envoy to Western Sahara in June. Despite Baker´s resignation, the efforts to implement his peace plan did not stop. Spain, Algeria and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan´s special representative, Alvaro de Soto, backed the Baker Plan II for peace in Western Sahara and tried to realize it without achieving any results throughout the year.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: MINURSO, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Western Sahara
Comment on Third Party Involvement: MINURSO's mandate continued to be extended. MINURSO's Identification Commission (IDC) formally completed its work in 2004.
Terminated: NO
2005 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: Efforts to solve the dispute between Morocco and Polisario continued during 2005. In May, the UN Security Council renewed its plea to the warring parties to end their decades-old dispute and in August, POLISARIO released their last Moroccan prisoners of war after mediation by the United States, in a gesture to boost prospects for a lasting settlement for the region. Later the same month, the United States held talks with Morocco and Algeria to move closer to a solution. Further efforts were made by the new UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara, Peter van Walsum, in October with a tour covering Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania. However, all these efforts gave no tangible results. Morocco tawed its position that a referendum with an alternative of independence for West Sahara was not to think of and hence, once again, dismissed the Baker Plan.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: MINURSO, UN, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Western Sahara
Comment on Third Party Involvement: By its resolution 1675 of 28 April 2006, the Security Council extended MINURSO's mandate until 31 October 2006.
Terminated: NO
2006 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: Negotiations did not move forward during the year, and a final solution remained in an impasse. In April, the Moroccan king offered to grant Western Sahara autonomy within Moroccan territorial sovereignty, but the POLISARIO Secretary-General firmly refjected this proposal, stating that only a referendum on independence would satisfy his people. The situation thus remained stalemated
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: MINURSO, UN
Comment on Third Party Involvement: The UN Security Council, and Secretary General Annan, urged POLISARIO to enter into new negotiations with the government, but the movement stated it was not interested in new talks, only in the promised referendum. Security Council Resolution 1720 was passed on 31 October 2006, mandating MINURSO to remain in Western Sahara until April 2007. The resolution was passed despite some member states’ reluctance towards sanctioning a further full-scale peacekeeping presence due to the lack of movement in the process towards a final settlement.
Terminated: NO
2007 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: Two rounds of negotiations were held under UN auspices during the summer, with a third round scheduled for January 2008, marking the first direct talks between the parties in over seven years. However, no agreement was reached as the government continued to stick to its proposal for limited autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty for Western Sahara, while POLISARIO maintained its demand for a referendum with a choice of autonomy or independence. In December, POLISARIO threatened that they would consider going back to armed conflict to "speed up the process".
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: MINURSO, UN
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Two rounds of negotiations were held during the summer with a third round scheduled for January 2008. Resolution 1783, adopted 31 October, called upon the parties to continue negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General without preconditions and in good faith, and further extended MINURSO's mandate until 30 April 2008.
Terminated: NO
2008 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: The third round of talks between POLISARIO and the Moroccan government under UN auspices started in January 2008 in Manhasset, near New York City. The talks ended without the parties reaching further agreement than to resume talks in March. Also the fourth round of negotiations which took place in March at the same location, was without success. The government continued to stick to its proposal for limited autonomy for Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty, while POLISARIO maintained its demand for a referendum with a choice of autonomy or independence. POLISARIO in May once again expressed their skepticism over the possibility of a political solution and renewed the threat of possibly resuming violence. POLISARIO further demanded that the UN Special Envoy Peter Van Walsum from the Netherlands be exchanged as he had expressed a bias in favor of the aggressor stating that independence for Western Sahara was unrealistic. A fifth round of negotiations was planned to take place during 2009.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: MINURSO, UN
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Resolution 1813 was adopted by the Security Council 30 April 2008. The resolution extended the MINURSO mandate until 30 April 2009 and called upon the parties to continue negotiations.
Terminated: NO
2009 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: Direct talks between the government of Morocco and POLISARIO were held in August in Duernstein, Austria. The informal negotiations were led by the new UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara, Christopher Ross. Although the parties appeared satisfied with the talks and promised continued negotiations in the near future, no progress towards an agreement appeared to have been made, as Morocco continued to propose autonomy while POLISARIO demanded a referendum and possible independence.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: MINURSO, UN, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Western Sahara
Comment on Third Party Involvement: In January, US diplomat Christopher Ross was appointed as a new UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara. His predecessor, Peter van Walsum, had been criticised for siding with Morocco after stating that Western Saharan independence was not realistic. The new appointment was soon welcomed by the Moroccan government, POLISARIO and Algeria. In February, Ross began a series of separate meetings with the concerned parties in the conflict. In August, Ross hosted direct talks between the parties in Austria. Furthermore, MINURSO's mandate was extended for another year through Security Council resolution 1871, adopted 30 April.
Terminated: NO
2010 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: Informal talks were held between the government of Morocco and POLISARIO near New York during February but broke down after two days without reaching any progress. The two parties met again in November 8-9th outside New York in UN-sponsored talks led by Christopher Ross, the UN special envoy to Western Sahara. Unfortunately, the talks were overshadowed by an incident in Western Sahara where the Moroccan military had just days before the talks, entered a camp near Laayoune, resulting in a small number of fatalities. Subsequently, the talks did not lead to anything substantive.
New talks were held December 16-18th in New York, again led by Christopher Ross. These talks also ended in deadlock as each party continued to reject the proposals of the other. However, the parties did agree to meet again for talks in January and March 2011.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: MINURSO, UN, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Western Sahara
Comment on Third Party Involvement: The UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara, US diplomat Christopher Ross, continued attempts to mediate between the parties in three sets of negotiations held in February, November and December in New York.
The mandate for the UN peacekeeping force MINURSO (UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara) was renewed another year on April 30th, by Security Council resolution 1920.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2011 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: Between January and July 2011, four meetings were held, three of them in New York and one of them in Malta. The issues under discussion included the potential inclusion of representatives from Western Sahara's population in future peace negotiations, but there was no major headway on the central issue of the status of Western Sahara. While negotiations resumed, tensions persisted. For example, POLISARIO representatives criticized Morocco's inclusion of Western Sahara in a constitutional reform vote in March 2011. Following the July meeting, Morocco claimed it would not attend further meetings until after the national elections in November, an announcement that was criticized by the POLISARIO front. There were no further meetings held in 2011.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: UN, MINURSO, UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara
Comment on Third Party Involvement: In April 2011, The United Nations Security Council extended the mandate of the MINURSO mission for another year through resolution 1979. A proposed MINURSO human rights supervision mechanism was however not approved. In his report to the Security Council, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon emphasized the importance of including opinions and perspectives of the Saharan people in the negotiations, a recommendation which the parties eventually discussed in one of their meetings in 2011. It was furthermore reported that Christopher Ross, the UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara, would suggest the establishment of a new African-led committee to support the re-establishment of negotiations, a suggestion that was however not specified further.
Terminated: NO
2012 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: A new round of negotiations took place in New York in March 2012, led by UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara, Christopher Ross. While the parties reached limited consensus on issues such as natural resources or trust-building measures, there was no major progress on the fundamental issue of the status of Western Sahara. Following the meeting, both parties stated that the focus of the talks had been on humanitarian issues instead of the conflict itself. In September 2012, another meeting was held in Geneva. This meeting was focused on the implementation trust-building measures between the government of Morocco, MINURSO and the POLISARIO front. Despite the lack of progress on the status of Western Sahara, The UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara emphasized the importance of further rounds of negotiations to avoid the persistance of the unstable status quo.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: UN, MINURSO, UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara, Algeria, Mauritania
Comment on Third Party Involvement: The negotiations in March 2012 included representatives from both Algeria and Mauritania whereas representatives from MINURSO participated in the talks in September. In April, tensions emerged between the UN and the Moroccan government after the UN Secretary General had accused Morocco of spying on MINURSO and criticized the lack of access to Western Sahara for the mission. The report sparked criticism in Morocco and positive reactions among the POLISARIO front. Following those events, Morocco withdrew its confidence in the UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara in May, who had acted as a mediator between the two parties, due to alleged "imbalanced manner". Nevertheless, the UN Secretary General reiterated his support for the envoy.
Terminated: NO
2013 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: There were no direct rounds of negotiations between the two parties in 2013. The UN Secretary-General's annual report emphasized the necessity for independent monitoring of human rights situation on the ground, for example by respectively adjusting MINURSO's mandate. A respecive US-led proposal was however rejected by Morocco in April.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: UN, MINURSO, UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Despite the lack of direct negotiations between the two parties, mediation efforts continued, including calls for monitoring of the human rights situation and for the continuation of negotiations. It was emphasized by the UN and its Special Envoy for Western Sahara that it was necessary to achieve progress in the peace process instead of letting instability continue. MINURSO's mandate was furthermore extended for another year, yet without a specific mandate to monitor the human rights situation on the ground.
Terminated: NO
2014 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: There were no direct negotiations between Morocco and the POLISARIO front in 2014. Given the lack of progress, there were frequent demonstrations by the Sahrawi population, for example for economic rights and self-determination. Despite several clashes during the protests, the overall situation was considered calm in the UN Secretary-General's annual report. Both parties maintained their positions without making further compromises, the overall peace process remained stalled.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: UN, MINURSO, UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara
Comment on Third Party Involvement: MINURSO's mandate was extended for another year, yet the mission was not given the frequently demanded competence for the evaluation of human rights situation on the ground. The UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara, Christopher Ross, reiterated that new rounds of negotiations were only useful if there was a realistic possibility of achieving progress.
Terminated: NO
2015 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: Negotiations remained at an impasse in 2015. Despite international calls for a continuation of the peace process, there were no direct negotiations between the two parties. Demonstrations by the Sahrawi population persisted, given deteriorating living conditions in refugee camps and the lack of progress in the peace talks. The human rights situation in Western Sahara also remained tense. Morocco furthermore objected parts of thhe UN Secretary-Generals last annual report, which further complicated resumption of the peace process.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: UN, MINURSO, UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara
Comment on Third Party Involvement: The overall peace process remained unchanged in 2015, yet there were several visits by the UN Special Envoy to Western Sahara to the region for the purpose of mediation. However, there was no progress on a potential resumption of direct negotiations between Morocco and the POLISARIO Front. MINURSO's mandate was again renewed for another year.
Terminated: NO
2016 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: There were no direct negotiations between Morocco and the POLISARIO Front in 2016, therefore tensions continued to persist. For instance, Morocco's decision to remove a number of international civilian personnel sparked heavy criticism from the POLISARIO Front. Moroccan troops furthermore cleared an area in the Guerguerat region to construct a desert track that was linking several posts along the border. This resulted in troop deployments by POLISARIO in the area, which were aimed at stopping the ongoing work at the border. As a result, both parties accused each other of having violated the ceasefire. The respective tensions in Guerguerat remained unresolved throughout 2016.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: UN, MINURSO, UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara
Comment on Third Party Involvement: The international engagement in the region in 2016 was complicated by the fact that Morocco asked a number of civilian MINURSO and African Union personnel to leave the country. This resulted in major staff shortages for MINURSO. The mission's mandate was extended for another year through resolution 2285 in April 2016. MINURSO also attempted to mediate amid tensions in the Guerguerot region and called on both parties to refrain from further activities in the respective area. Meanwhile, the UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara continued his efforts to continue the peace process, which however led to no new rounds of negotiations in 2016.
Terminated: NO
2017 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: Representatives from Morocco and the POLISARIO front met separately with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in the first months of 2017. Tensions were still persisting due to clashes in the Guerguerat region, where both Morocco and the POLISARIO front had deployed troops in 2016. The dispute deepened when Moroccan vehicles were repeatedly stopped in the region by Sahrawi group members, prompting Morocco to demand an intervention by MINURSO. During the meetings in early 2017, the Secretary General called for a withdrawal of both parties' forces from Guerguerat to stabilize the situation. Both forces eventually withdrew their forces from Guerguerat. Nevertheless, the process was still complicated, for example by Morocco's king's declaration on four principles for Western Sahara. Those included Moroccos full sovereignity over Western Sahara as non-negotiable, which sparked doubts in Morocco's dedication to the peace process. There were no direct negotiations or meetings between the conflicting parties in 2017.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: UN, MINURSO, Algeria and Mauritania, UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara, Group of Friends of the Sahara (France, USA, Spain, United Kingdom and Russia),
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Followig Christoper Ross's resignation, Horst Köhler became the new UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara and held first meetings with representatives from Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, the POLISARIO front and the countries of the Group of Friends of Western Sahara in October 2017. He furthermore proposed bilateral meetings between the conflicting parties and their neighbors to enable deeper negotiations the following year. Furthermore, MINURSO's mandate was extended for another year by the Security Council in April 2017.
Terminated: NO
2018 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: As part of the UN-led peace process, representatives from Morocco and the POLISARIO front engaged in talks that took place in Geneva in December 2018. Those meetings marked the restart of direct negotiations between the two parties, which had been faced with an impasse since 2012. Among the issues discussed was the situation in Guerguerat and the status of the ceasefire agreement from 1991. Following the Geneva meetings, the negotiation process was predicted to continue, with a new round of negotiations scheduled for the first quarter of 2019.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: UN, MINURSO, Algeria and Mauritania, UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara, Group of Friends of the Sahara (France, USA, Spain, United Kingdom and Russia)
Comment on Third Party Involvement: The Geneva negotiations in December 2018 were initiated by Horst Köhler, the UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara, following a series of bilateral meetings of the conflicting parties with other local actors (e.g. Algeria, Mauritania) throughout the year. The envoy also held a series of bilateral meetings throughout the year with Morocco, the POLISARIO front, Algeria, Mauritania and the countries of the Group of Friends of the Sahara. Algeria and Mauritania participated in the Geneva meetings as observers. Furthermore, MINURSO's mandate was renewed through Resolution 2414 (April 2018) and Resolution 2440 (October 2018), each extending the mission's mandate for six months.
Terminated: NO
2019 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: The negotiations held in late 2018 continued with a second round of talks between the parties in March 2019. Consensus was reached on several issues, including the benefits of a solution of the Western Sahara issue for the Maghreb region as well as the region's role in contributing to a solution. Although the parties remained open for subsequent rounds of negotiations to address the core elements of the conflict, there were no further direct talks in 2019. This was mainly due to the resignation of the UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara and the following lack of an immediate successor. This sparked criticism among POLISARIO and the Sahrawi people, since the peace process had again reached an impasse.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: UN, MINURSO, UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara, Algeria and Mauritania, Group of Friends of the Sahara (France, USA, Spain, United Kingdom and Russia)
Comment on Third Party Involvement: The negotiations in March 2019 were held by the UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara, Horst Köhler. The talks included Morocco and the POLISARIO front as well as observers and mediators. Following the resignation of the UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara in May 2019, no successor was appointed by the UN Secretary-General until the end of the year. This significantly complicated the continuation of negotiations and resulted in the absence of further meetings in 2019. In October, the Security Council furthermore extended MINURSO's again for another year.
Terminated: NO
2020 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: The peace process remained characterized by an ongoing deadlock throughout 2020, following the resignation of the UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara in May 2019. The lack of progress and increasing violations of the 1991 ceasefire agreement led to an escalation of tensions in 2020. Following repeated clashes in Guerguerat, the Moroccan military entered the demilitarized area, after which the POLISARIO front ended the ceasefire agreement and declared war. Given those developments, there were no direct negotiations between the two parties in 2020.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: UN, MINURSO, Algeria and Mauritania, Group of Friends of Western Sahara (France, USA, Spain, United Kingdom and Russia)
Comment on Third Party Involvement: In October 2020, the Security Council extended MINURSO's mandate for another year through resolution 2548. There was however no appointment of a new UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara throughout 2020. In December, the United States furthermore recognized Morocco's sovereignity over Western Sahara, a decision that was condemned by the POLISARIO front as an obstruction of the efforts for a permanent solution of the conflict.
Terminated: NO
2021 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: Following the end of the ceasefire in 2020, the deadlocked peace process did not continue in 2021. Despite a respective call by the UN Security Council, no new negotiation rounds were scheduled. Instead, tensions and violence in the region persisted.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: UN, MINURSO, Algeria and Mauritania, UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara, Group of Friends of Western Sahara (France, USA, Spain, United Kingdom and Russia)
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Two years after the resignation of the previous envoy, the UN Secretary-General appointed Staffan de Mistura as the new UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara. The mandate of MINURSO was extended through resolution 2602 (October 2021) for another year. The resolution furthermore called for the re-establishment of the round table negotiations format that had been held in 2018 and 2019 which had included both parties as well as Algeria and Mauritania as observers. However, the parties could not reach a consensus on the re-establishment of this format.
Terminated: NO
2022 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: Despite efforts by the UN Special Envoy to enable another round of talks, there were no direct negotiations between Morocco and the POLISARIO Front in 2022. Instead, there were continuous reports of violence in the region, although they were allegedly less intense than in the previous year. During their individual meetings with the envoy, Morocco and the POLISARIO front both reiterated their positions: Morocco insisted on autonomy of Western Sahara whereas POLISARIO representatives continued to stress the necessity for a referendum on self-determination in Western Sahara. Morocco furthermore stressed its policy to make the relations with third parties increasingly dependent on their position on Western Saraha. Nevertheless, both parties also expressed support for a potential continuation of the UN-led peace process.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: UN, MINURSO, UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara, Algeria and Mauritania, Group of Friends of Western Sahara (France, USA, Spain, United Kingdom and Russia)
Comment on Third Party Involvement: Following the appointment of the new UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara the previous year, efforts to re-establish negotiations were intensified. The envoy held several meetings with various individual actors, this did however not result in direct negotiations between Morocco and the POLISARIO Front. The envoy furthermore continued talks with other actors, such as the members of the UN Security Council and the members of the Groups of Friends of Western Sahara. MINURSO's mandate was furthermore extended for another year through resolution 2654 in October 2022.
Terminated: NO
2023 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: The levels of violence remained lower than in the previous year throughout 2023, yet there was no reactivation of direct negotiations between the two parties. Despite informal negotiation attemps by the UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara, both parties continued to insist on their positions on the most fundamental issues of the conflict, with no further attempts to find a compromise.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: UN, MINURSO, UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara, Algeria and Mauritania, Group of Friends of Western Sahara (France, USA, Spain, United Kingdom and Russia)
Comment on Third Party Involvement: The Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura continued his efforts to re-establish negotiations between Morocco and the POLISARIO Front. However, there was a series of informal meetings held in March 2023 in New York, which included individual meetings of the Special Envoy with Morocco and the POLISARIO Front as well as other relevant actors, such as Algeria and Mauritania and Group of Friends of Western Sahara. It was stressed that this format was intended to work towards a reactivation of actual negotiations in the future. The envoy furthermore visited both Morocco and Western Sahara in September, where he held further talks. His work was however partly criticized for lacking a strong mandate and for being too restrained. Additionally, the UN Secretary-General stressed the necessity to re-establish the ceasefire between the two parties. In October, the Security Council extended MINURSO's mandate for another year through Resolution 2703 (2023).
Terminated: NO
2024 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: Despite respective efforts by the UN Special Envoy, negotiations did not resume in 2024. In Western Sahara, low intensity hostilities continued throughout the year. Concerning a long-term solution, both Morocco and the POLISARIO Front continued to insist on their positions, with Moroccos position being strengthened by France's public support of the Moroccan autonomy plan from 2007. Furthermore, there were disagreements on the future format of negotiations, with Morocco favoring a round table format and the POLISARIO Front insisting on bilateral dialogue with Morocco. Furthermore, the UN Special Envoy introduced the ideas of a cessation of hostilities for Ramandan and a partition of the disputed territory, both of which were rejected by Morocco and the POLISARIO Front.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Third actors: UN, MINURSO, UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara, Algeria and Mauritania, Group of Friends of Western Sahara (France, USA, Spain, United Kingdom and Russia)
Comment on Third Party Involvement: The UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura continued his mediation efforts, but failed to re-establish negotiations between Morocco and the POLISARIO Front. In October, the Security Council renewed MINURSO's mandate for another year through Resolution 2765.
Terminated: NO
2025 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: There were no direct negotiations between Morocco and the POLISARIO Front in 2025.
Third party involvement: YES
Third party involvement names: Third actors: UN, MINURSO, UN Special Envoy for Western Sahara, Algeria and Mauritania, Group of Friends of Western Sahara (France, USA, Spain, United Kingdom and Russia)
Comment on Third Party Involvement: In October, the Security Council extended MINURSO's mandate for another year through Resolution 2797 (2025). The resolution, which was mainly drafted by the United States, furthermore referenced Morocco's autonomy plan from 2007 as a basis for future negotiations.
Terminated: NO
