DZWatch Exclusive: The Polisario Front, the sole legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people, will file a new legal challenge before the European Court of Justice (ECJ) before the end of the year. This was confirmed by Abi Bouchraya Bachir, Special Advisor to the Sahrawi President for Natural Resources and Legal Affairs.
The challenge targets the latest agreement between Morocco and the European Union, encompassing both trade and fishing rights, according to sources within the Polisario Front.
The Front views the agreement as a violation of international law and the rights of the Sahrawi people to their natural resources. It argues that the agreement allows Morocco to exploit resources in Western Sahara, a territory whose sovereignty remains disputed, without the consent of the Sahrawi population.
“We are committed to defending the rights of the Sahrawi people through all available legal means,” stated a source close to the legal team preparing the case. “This agreement undermines our right to self-determination and perpetuates the illegal occupation of our land.”
This legal action marks the latest in a series of attempts by the Polisario Front to challenge the legality of agreements between the EU and Morocco that affect Western Sahara. Previous cases have yielded mixed results, with the ECJ sometimes ruling in favor of the Front’s claims, leading to adjustments in the agreements. However, the core issue of resource exploitation in the disputed territory remains a point of contention.
The outcome of this new challenge could have significant implications for the future of EU-Morocco relations and the ongoing conflict in Western Sahara. The ECJ’s decision will be closely watched by international observers and stakeholders in the region.
