Legal status of Western Sahara 33229 223555027 2008-07-04T16:21:21Z Niwrek94 5734372 {{Mergefrom|Foreign relations of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic|date=August 2007}} {{Sahara conflict}} '''[[Western Sahara]]''', formerly the [[Spanish Empire|Spanish colony]] of [[Spanish Sahara]], is a disputed territory claimed by the [[Morocco|Kingdom of Morocco]] and the [[Polisario Front]]. Its '''legal status''' remains unresolved. The territory is [[Southern Provinces|mostly administered]] by Morocco since [[Spain]] handed over the territory to Morocco and [[Mauritania]] after the [[Madrid Accords]] in 1975-76. [[Free Zone (Western Sahara region)|Part of the territory]] is controlled by the [[Polisario Front]] as the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. A UN-administered [[cease-fire]] has been in effect since September, 1991. In order to resolve the [[sovereignty]] issue, the [[United Nations]] (UN) has attempted to hold a [[referendum]] through the mission [[United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara]] (MINURSO), and is holding direct talks between the kingdom of Morocco and the Polisario Front. ==Positions of the parties== ===Kingdom of Morocco=== The position of the '''Kingdom of Morocco''' is that all of Western Sahara is an integral part of the Kingdom. The Moroccan government refers to Western Sahara only as the "Sahara," "Moroccan Sahara," "Saharan provinces," or the "Southern Provinces". Western Sahara is the historical birthplace of one of the most successful Moroccan ruling dynasties, the [[Almoravids]]. In 1958, the [[Moroccan Army of Liberation|Moroccan Liberation Army of the South]] fought Spanish colonizers and almost liberated what was then [[Spanish Sahara]]. Among the veterans of the Moroccan Southern Army are fathers of many of the Polisario leaders, like the father of [[Mohammed Abdelaziz]], the Polisario leader. Morocco is supported in this view by a number of [[Former members of Polisario|former Polisario founders and leaders]]. The Polisario Front is considered by Morocco to be a Moroccan [[separatism|separatist]] movement, referring to the Moroccan origins of most of its founding members, and its self-proclaimed SADR to be a [[puppet state]] used by [[Algeria]] to fight a [[proxy war]] against Morocco. ===Polisario Front=== The position of the '''[[Polisario Front]]''' is that Western Sahara is an [[military occupation|occupied territory]], the rightful government of which is the [[exile government|exiled]] Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).<ref name = "Qantara"> {{cite news | author = Saeed Taji Farouky | url = http://www.qantara.de/webcom/show_article.php/_c-476/_nr-544/i.html?PHPSESSID=5869 | title = The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic: Deserted in Western Sahara | publisher = Qantara.de | date = 2006-03-21 | accessdate = 2006-07-15 | language = English, [[German language|German]]}}</ref> The Polisario Front calls for the right of self-determination of the people of Western Sahara to be decided through a referendum. Although the SADR is not recognised as a state by the UN, Polisario is considered as a direct party in the conflict. The SADR is a member of the African Union. ===Algeria=== Algeria has been supporting the independence of Western Sahara diplomatically since 1975. In 1976, Algeria got involved directly in the conflict, but after a military confrontation at [[Amgala]] against the Moroccan Army, the Algerian role became that of an indirectly involved party through political and military support to the [[Polisario front]]. Morocco argues that the Algerian position is due to the [[Sand War]] of 1963. ===United Nations=== Western Sahara was first placed, by Moroccan demand, on the UN list of territories to be [[decolonization|decolonized]] in the 1960s when it was still a Spanish colony. It has retained that status since then due to the persistence of the conflict.<ref name = "U. N. List">{{cite web | url = http://un.org/Depts/dpi/decolonization/trust3.htm | title = Non-Self-Governing Territories listed by GA in 2002 | accessdate = 2006-08-20 | author = [[United Nations Fourth Committee]] | year = 2002 | publisher = United Nations | language = [[English language|English]]}}</ref> The UN has been involved since 1988 to find a solution to the conflict through [[self-determination]]. In 1988, the kingdom of Morocco and the Polisario Front agreed to settle the dispute through a [[referendum]] under the auspices of the UN, that would allow the people of Western Sahara to choose between independence or integration with Morocco. In 1991, a [[ceasefire]] was [[Settlement Plan|agreed]] between the parties, contingent on the referendum being held the following year. Due to disputes over voter qualification, the vote has still not been held, and Morocco has made it clear in 2000 that henceforth it will not consider any option leading to the independence of the territory,{{Fact|date=July 2007}} and instead, is now proposing [[Autonomy for Western Sahara|autonomy]] within Morocco. Lately, the UN has argued for negotiations between the parties to overcome the deadlock, culminating in the [[Manhasset negotiations]]. ===African Union=== The '''[[African Union]]''' (formerly the [[Organization of African Unity]]) has given the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic full recognition,<ref name = "African Union"> {{cite web | url = http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/memberstates/map.htm | title = A. U. Member States | accessdate = 2006-08-20 | author = African Union | format = Flash animation | publisher = African Union | language = English, [[French language|French]]}}</ref> and accepted it as a member (which has led Morocco to leave the union,<ref name = "UNPoliticalAlliances"> {{cite web | url = http://www.eyeontheun.org/view.asp?l=11&p=55 | title = Political Alliances Within the UN | work = Eye on the UN | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> becoming the only [[Africa]]n [[state]] outside of it.) ==Recognition== The SADR is [[diplomatic recognition|recognized]] by '''[[#States recognizing the SADR|45 states]]'''. Sates not recognizing the Sahrawi republic may, however, recognize the Polisario Front as a legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people, but not its exile government as a state.{{Fact|date=July 2007}} Several states have withdrawn their recognition of the SADR. Although Morocco claims that no recognition is required, Moroccan sovereignty over the territory is explicitly supported by the [[Arab League]]<ref name = "Arab League" >{{cite news | url = http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/981217/1998121758.html | title = Arab League withdraws inaccurate Moroccan maps | accessdate = 2006-07-15 | author = Arabicnews.com | date = 1998-12-17 | publisher = Arabicnews.com | language = English}}</ref><ref name = "Arab League 2">{{cite news | url = http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/990108/1999010849.html | title = Arab League supports Morocco's territorial integrity | accessdate = 2006-07-15 | author = Arabicnews.com | date = 1999-01-08| publisher = Arabicnews.com | language = English}}</ref> and by '''[[#List of countries supporting Moroccan claims on Western Sahara|25 states]]'''. ==States recognizing the SADR== The following is a list of state [[government]]s that have formally recognized Western Sahara as a sovereign nation, with the exiled Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic as its legitimate government. The vast majority of recognitions took place during the [[Cold War]]. Since the 1990s, many states have retracted their recognitions, or suspended recognition pending the outcome of the referendum on self-determination. Despite the Spanish government fluctuated [[Juan Carlos I|the King]] exposed the right to self-determintation<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.libertaddigital.com/index.php?action=desanoti&cpn=1276301031|author=Libertad Digital|title=The King bet on self-determination for WS|date=13-03-07}}</ref>. *'''Forty-eight''' recognize the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. Thirteen of them are home to Sahrawi embassies *'''Thirty-seven''' have recognized the SADR, then ''suspended'' relations or ''withdrawn'' recognition. [[Image:Foreign relations of the SADR.PNG|thumb|center|499px|Map of countries that have recognized Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic as independent]] {{clear}} {| class="wikitable" ! bgcolor="#FFEBAD"|State ! bgcolor="#FFEBAD"|Date of recognition ! bgcolor="#FFEBAD"|Notes |- | {{flag|Burundi}} | [[March 1]], [[1976]] | Froze recognition [[May 5]], [[2006]] [http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/politics/burundi_freezes_reco/view 33] and reinstated them [[2008]]-[[06]]-[[17]] <ref>[http://saharaoccidental.blogspot.com/2008/06/burundi.html Burundi recognizes the SADR]</ref> |- | {{flag|Algeria}} | March 6, 1976 | Embassy. <ref name = "Algeria">{{cite web | url = http://www.ambrasd.org/ | title = Embassy of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic in Algeria | accessdate = 2006-08-20 | author = Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic | publisher = Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic | language = [[Arabic language|Arabic]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]]}}</ref><br> {{flag|Arab League}} Member<br> [[AMU]] Member<br> {{flag|AU}} Member<br> {{flag|OIC}} Member |- | {{flag|Angola}} | March 11, 1976 | Embassy. <br>{{flag|AU}} Member |- | {{flag|Ethiopia}} | February 24, 1979 | Embassy. <ref name = "Ethiopia">{{cite web | url = http://www.ethioembassy.org.uk/embassies/lists/embassies.htm | title = Embassies of Ethiopia | accessdate = 2006-08-20 | author = Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia | date = 2005-07-04 | publisher = Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia | language = English}}</ref> <br>{{flag|AU}} Member |- | {{flag|Guinea-Bissau}} | March 15, 1976 | Relations suspended April 2, 1997; Relations resumed and embassy re-opened September 26, 2000. <br>{{flag|AU}} Member <br> {{flag|OIC}} Member |- | {{flag|Lesotho}} | October 9, 1979<ref name = "Lesotho">{{cite news | url = http://www.un.org/webcast/ga/56/statements/011115lesothoE.htm | title = Statement by the Honourable Motsoahae Thomas Thabane Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Lesotho at the 56th Session of the United Nations General Assembly | date = [[2001-11-15]] | accessdate = 2005-07-15 }}</ref><ref name = "Lesotho2">{{cite web | url = http://www.spsrasd.info/sps-e080704.html#2 | title = Africa works "seriously for the decolonisation of Western Sahara", declares Mohlabi Kenneth Tsekoa | date = [[2004-07-08]] | publisher = Sahara Presse Service | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> | {{flag|AU}} Member |- | {{flag|Libya}} | April 15, 1980<ref name = "Libya">{{cite web | url = http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-8231.html | title = Maghrib Relations | work = Country-data.com | date = 1987 | accessdate = 2006-07-15}}</ref> [http://www.amigosdelsahara.net/Embajadas.htm] | {{flag|Arab League}} Member<br> [[AMU]] Member<br> {{flag|AU}} Member<br> {{flag|OIC}} Member |- | {{flag|Malawi}} | |After appearing to support Moroccan claims[http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/politics/african_countries_su/view], Malawi re-established diplomatic ties with the SADR<ref name="Malawi">{{cite web | url = http://www.upes.org/body1_eng.asp?field=sosio_eng&id=798 | title = The Saharawi Republic and Malawi establish of diplomatic relations between one another | work = UPES | date = 2008 | accessdate = 2008-02-02}}</ref> <br>{{flag|AU}} Member |- | {{flag|Mali}} | July 4, 1980 | {{flag|AU}} Member <br> {{flag|OIC}} Member |- | {{flag|Mauritania}} | February 27, 1984<ref name = "Mauritania">{{cite web | url = http://countrystudies.us/mauritania/22.htm | title = The Haidalla Regime | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> | {{flag|AU}} Member <br> [[AMU]] Member <br> {{flag|OIC}} Member |- | {{flag|Namibia}} | June 2, 1990[http://www.mfa.gov.na/frames/consularframe.htm][http://www.spsrasd.info/sps-e080704.html] | {{flag|AU}} Member |- | {{flag|Nigeria}} | November 12, 1984 | Embassy.<ref name = "Nigeria">{{cite news | url = http://www.spsrasd.info/sps-e300105.html | title = Arrival of the President of the Republic to Abuja to take part to the African Union's Summit | date = [[2005-01-30]] | publisher = Sahara Presse Service | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref>[http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=16090][http://www.arso.org/01-e01-13.htm] <br>{{flag|AU}} Member <br> {{flag|OIC}} Member |- | {{flag|Mozambique}} | March 13, 1976 | Embassy. <br> {{flag|AU}} Member <br>{{flag|OIC}} Member |- | {{flag|South Africa}} | September 15, 2004 | Embassy.<ref name = "South Africa">{{cite news | url = http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/040929/2004092915.html | title = The Guardian : South Africa's recognition of 'SADR' harms own interests | date = [[2004-09-24]] | publisher = Arabicnews.com | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref>[http://www.arso.org/SA.RASD2004.htm] <br>{{flag|AU}} Member |- | {{flag|Tanzania}} | November 9, 1978 | Embassy established June, 2005.<ref name = "Tanzania">{{cite press release | title = Tanzania satisfied about the future establishment of the Saharawi Republic’s Embassy in Dar Es Salam | publisher = [[Sahara Press Service]] | date = 2005-06-28 | url = http://www.spsrasd.info/sps-e280605.html | accessdate = 2006-08-20}}</ref> <br>{{flag|AU}} Member |- | {{flag|Zimbabwe}} | July 3, 1980[http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:Mwh4ZjLPTgcJ:www.zimfa.gov.zw/missions/8.htm+tanzania+embassy+sadr&hl=sv] | {{flag|AU}} Member |- | {{flag|Belize}} | November 18, 1986[http://64.106.163.228/library/bze_treaties/bi_lateral.php] | |- | {{flag|Cuba}} | January 20, 1980 | Embassy.<ref name = "Venezuela" /> |- | {{flag|Haiti}} | November 23, 2006 | Embassy.[http://www.spsrasd.info/sps-e231106.html][http://www.lenouvelliste.com/article.php?PubID=1&ArticleID=36872&PubDate=2006-11-24] |- | {{flag|Mexico}} | September 8, 1979<ref name = "Mexico">{{cite web | url = http://www.senado.gob.mx/internacionales/assets/docs/relaciones_parlamentarias/africa/reuniones/marruecos7.pdf | title = Conflicto en el Sahara Occidental | accessdate = 2006-08-20 | author = United Mexican States | format = PDF | publisher = United Mexican States | language = Spanish}}</ref> | Embassy.<ref name = "Venezuela">{{cite web | url = http://es.geocities.com/embrasdven/index.html | title = Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic embassy in Venezuela | accessdate = 2006-08-20 | author = Haddi Larosi | publisher = Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic | language = Spanish}}</ref> |- | {{flag|Nicaragua}} | September 6, 1979 | Suspended July 21, 2000,[http://www.mincom.gov.ma/french/reg_vil/regions/sahara/actualite/archive/2000/220700.htm] but re-established January 12, 2007[http://www.spsrasd.info/en/infos/2007/01/sps-e120107.html] |- | {{flag|Panama}} | June 23, 1978 | Embassy<ref name = "Panama">{{cite web | url = http://es.geocities.com/websahocc/index.html | title = Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic embassy in Panama | accessdate = 2006-08-20 | author = Haddi Larosi | publisher = Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic | language = English, Spanish}}</ref> |- | {{flag|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}} | February 14, 2002<ref name = "Saint Vincent and the Grenadines">{{cite web | url = http://www.arso.org/SvGren.140202.htm | title = Western Sahara - Sahara Occidental Joint Statement | date = [[2002-02-15]] | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> | |- | {{flag|Ecuador}} | November 14, 1983 | Withdrawn June 19, 2004; Relations resumed February 8, 2006.<ref name = "Ecuador">{{cite news | url = http://www.spsrasd.info/sps-e080206.html#4 | title = Ecuador and the Saharawi Republic declare the re-establishment of diplomatic relations | date = [[2006-02-08]] | publisher = Sahara Presse Service | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> [http://www.eluniverso.com/2005/10/04/8/ed9184d8a4784813a2aced300a35a0a0.html?EUID=] |- | {{flag|Uruguay}} | December 28, 2005<ref name = "Uruguay">{{cite news | title = The Oriental Republic of Uruguay announces its official recognition of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic | date = [[2005-12-26]] | url = http://www.spsrasd.info/sps-e261205.html#2 | accessdate = 2006-07-15 | publisher = Sahara Presse Service }}</ref><ref name = "Uruguay2">{{cite news | url = http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/912B0A5C-4383-44DB-B878-FFD7D8D6C7B7.htm | title = Uruguay recognises Western Sahara | date = [[2005-12-29]] | publisher = [[Al Jazeera]] | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> |- | {{flag|Venezuela}} | August 3, 1982 | Embassy.<ref name = "Venezuela" /> |- | {{flag|Iran}} | February 27, 1980[http://www.arso.org/01-e05-0102.htm]<ref name = "Iran">{{cite news | url = http://www.spsrasd.info/sps-e170206.html | title = Iran recognises "the Saharawi Republic and see the solution within the UN framework", Declares Iran’s Ambassador to Algiers | date = [[2006-02-17]] | publisher = Sahara Presse Service | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> | {{flag|OIC}} Member |- | {{flag|East Timor}} | May 20, 2002[http://www.arso.org/timor200502.htm] | First country to establish relations with East Timor. |- |} ==International organizations== {| class="wikitable" ! bgcolor="#FFEBAD"|State ! bgcolor="#FFEBAD"|Membership ! bgcolor="#FFEBAD"|Notes |- | {{flagicon|Arab League}} [[Arab League]] | Not a member. | Currently considered a part of Morocco.<ref name = "Arab League 2">{{cite news | url = http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/990108/1999010849.html | title = Arab League supports Morocco's territorial integrity | accessdate = 2006-07-15 | author = Arabicnews.com | date = 1999-01-08| publisher = Arabicnews.com | language = English}}</ref> |- | [[Greater Arab Free Trade Area]] (GAFTA) | Not a member. | Morocco is a founding member of GAFTA. |- | {{flag|AU}} | [[February 22]], [[1982]] | SADR is a fully recognised AU member.<ref name = "African Union"> {{cite web | url = http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/memberstates/map.htm | title = A. U. Member States | accessdate = 2006-08-20 | author = African Union | format = Flash animation | publisher = African Union | language = English, [[French language|French]]}}</ref> |- | {{flag|OIC}} | Not a member. | Currently considered as part of Morocco. [[Mohammed VI of Morocco]] is currently chairman of the OIC's [[Al-Qods]] committee. |- | {{flag|UN}} | Not a member. | The UN has argued for negotiations between Morocco and SADR, UN is possible in the future. |- |} ==States that have suspended or cancelled their recognition to the SADR== The recognitions of the SADR are subject to continuous fluctuation, depending on different factors and the diplomatic activity of [[Morocco]], [[Algeria]] and [[Polisario]]. A number of states that once recognized the SADR have either suspended or definitely cancelled their recognition. For example, the government of the [[Seychelles]] withdrew its [[diplomatic recognition]] of the SADR on [[March 17]], [[2008]].<ref name=afrik> {{cite news |first=|last=|title=Seychelles withdraws recognition for SADR |url=http://en.afrik.com/news11537.html|work= [[Panapress]] |publisher=[[Afrik.com]] |date=2008-03-18 |accessdate=2008-04-10}}</ref> For an overview on the list of these states click here: [[Foreign relations of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic]]. ==List of states supporting Moroccan claims on Western Sahara== No state has recognized the sovereignty of Morocco over Western Sahara, which the [[United Nations Secretary-General]] [[Kofi Annan]] also stressed in his last report on Western Sahara to the [[United Nations Security Council|Security Council]]: :"The Security Council would not be able to invite parties to negotiate about Western Saharan [[autonomy]] under Moroccan sovereignty, for such wording would imply recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, which was out of the question as long as no States Member of the United Nations had recognized that sovereignty".<ref name = "Moroccan sovereignty">{{cite web | format = PDF | date = [[2006-04-19]]| title = Report of the Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara | url = http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/wsahara/2006/0419sgreport.pdf | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> Spain is still considered as the administrative power, but Morocco however is the ''de facto'' administrating power since it controls most of the territory<ref name = "Morocco as administrative power">{{cite web | format = PDF | date = [[2002-02-19]] | title = Report of the Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara | url = http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N02/255/42/IMG/N0225542.pdf?OpenElement }}</ref>. Some UN member states have expressed explicit support of "Morocco's [[territorial integrity]]", in reference to Western Sahara as Moroccan provinces, but only Morocco has made a public declaration of sovereignty over the region. {| class="wikitable" ! bgcolor="#FFEBAD"|State ! bgcolor="#FFEBAD"|Date of support ! bgcolor="#FFEBAD"|Notes |- |{{flag|Botswana}}<ref name = "Botswana">{{cite news | title = Morocco, Botswana establish diplomatic relations | url = http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/050628/2005062825.html | date = [[2005-06-28]] | publisher = Arabicnews.com | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> | |{{flag|AU}} Member |- |{{flag|Cameroon}}<ref name = "Cameroon">{{cite news | title = King Visit to Cameroon, a major event, ambassador | url = http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/040617/2004061714.html | date = [[2004-06-17]] | publisher = Arabicnews.com | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> | |{{flag|AU}} Member |- | {{flag|Central African Republic}}<ref name = "Central African Republic">{{cite news | date = [[2000-02-29]] | accessdate = 2006-07-15 | title = Central Africa backs Morocco's sovereignty over Sahara | publisher = Arabicnews.com | url = http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/000229/2000022948.html}}</ref><ref>[http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/politics/new_central_african5543/view CAR and Morocco]</ref> | |{{flag|AU}} Member |- |{{flag|Côte d'Ivoire}}<ref name = "Côte d'Ivoire">{{cite news | date = [[2004-03-16]] | publisher = Arabicnews.com | title = Ivory Coast reiterates firm support to political solution to Sahara dispute, Minister | url = http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/040316/2004031631.html | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> | |{{flag|AU}} Member |- |{{flag|Egypt}}<ref name = "Egypt">{{cite news | url = http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/990315/1999031549.html | title = Egypt renews backing to Morocco's territorial integrity | date = [[1999-03-15]] | publisher = Arabicnews.com | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> | |{{flag|AU}} Member <br>{{flag|OIC}} Member<br>{{flag|Arab League}} Member |- |{{flag|Equatorial Guinea}}<ref name = "Equatorial Guinea">{{cite news | date = [[2002-05-14]] | publisher = Arabicnews.com | title = Equatorial Guinea renews backing to Morocco's territorial integrity | url = http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/020514/2002051437.html | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> | |{{flag|AU}} Member |- |{{flag|Gabon}}<ref name = "Gabon">{{cite news | title = Gabon renews support to Morocco's territorial integrity | url = http://news.africast.com/article.php?newsID=41570&strRegion=Central | date = [[2000-09-13]] | publisher = Africast.com | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> | |{{flag|AU}} Member |- |{{flag|Guinea}}<ref name = "Guinea">{{cite news | url = http://www.moroccotimes.com/news/article.asp?idr=2&id=8322 | title = Bilateral cooperation: Guinea reaffirms support to Moroccan territorial integrity | date = [[2005-07-21]] | accessdate = 2006-07-15 | publisher = MoroccoTimes.com }}</ref> | |{{flag|AU}} Member |- |{{flag|Madagascar}}<ref name = "Madagascar">{{cite news | date = [[2005-04-07]] | publisher = Arabicnews.com | title = Madagascar freezes recognition of so-called Sahrawi Republic | accessdate = 2006-07-15 | url = http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/050407/2005040718.html }}</ref> | |{{flag|AU}} Member |- | {{flag|Senegal}}<ref name = "Senegal">{{cite news | url = http://news.africast.com/article.php?newsID=15744 | title = Senegal renews firm support to Moroccan territorial integrity | publisher = Africast.com | date = [[2000-05-29]] | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> | |{{flag|AU}} Member |- |{{flag|Swaziland}}[http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/politics/african_countries_su/view] | |{{flag|AU}} Member |- |{{flag|Sudan}}<ref name = "Sudan">{{cite news | url = http://www.moroccotimes.com/paper/article.asp?idr=2&id=11765 | title = Sudan supports Moroccan sovereignty over Southern Provinces | date = [[2005-12-26]] | publisher = MoroccoTimes.com | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> | |{{flag|AU}} Member <br>{{flag|OIC}} Member <br> {{flag|Arab League}} Member |- |{{flag|Argentina}}<ref name = "Argentina">{{cite news | title = Argentina renews backing to Morocco's territorial integrity | url = http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/030415/2003041521.html | date = [[2003-04-15]] | publisher = Arabicnews.com | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> | | |- |{{flag|Colombia}}<ref name = "Colombia">{{cite news | url = http://www.moroccotimes.com/news/article.asp?idr=2&id=5011 | title = Columbian Senate reaffirms support to Morocco territorial integrity | date = [[2005-03-23]] | publisher = MoroccoTimes.com | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> | | |- | {{flag|Chile}}<ref name = "Chile"> {{cite news | date = [[2005-06-02]] | publisher = MoroccoTimes.com | url = http://www.moroccotimes.com/news/article.asp?idr=2&id=7019 | accessdate = 2006-07-15 | title = Chile reiterates its position in favour of Moroccan territorial integrity }}</ref>[http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/politics/chile_s_senate_speak/view] | | Chile has given contradictory comments regarding the Sahara. Chile's Senate speaker [[Sergio Romero]] has said that Chile does not recognize Western Sahara's independence [http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/politics/chile_s_senate_speak/view],<ref name = "Chile" /> but Chile's Ministry of Foreign Relations website includes Western Sahara as an independent country with which Chile has no diplomatic relations. |- |{{flag|Peru}}<ref name = "Peru">{{cite news | url = http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/031002/2003100226.html | title = Peru fully supports Morocco's territorial integrity | date = [[2003-10-02]] | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> | | |- | {{flag|PRC}}<ref name = "People's Republic of China"> {{cite news | date = [[2000-11-08]] | title = China renews backing to Morocco's territorial integrity | publisher = Arabicnews.com | url = http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/001108/2000110824.html | accessdate = 2006-07-15}}</ref> | |{{flagicon|UN}} permanent member of the UNSC |- |{{flag|Indonesia}}<ref name = "Indonesia">{{cite news | date = [[2001-01-25]] | publisher = Arabicnews.com | title = Indonesian MP delegation holds intensive talks with Moroccan officials | url = http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/010125/2001012525.html | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> | | |- |{{flag|Iraq}}<ref name = "Iraq">{{cite news | url = http://www.iraqieconomy.org/home/bilecon/morocco/20050609 | title = Morocco-Iraqi agreements on oil supply upheld, ambassador | date = [[2005-06-09]] | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> | |{{flag|OIC}} Member<br>{{flag|Arab League}} Member |- |{{flag|Kuwait}} | May 25, 2002<ref name = "Kuwait">{{cite news | url = http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/020525/2002052520.html | title = Kuwait reiterates support to Morocco's territorial integrity | date = [[2002-05-25]] | publisher = Arabicnews.com | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> |{{flag|OIC}} Member<br>{{flag|Arab League}} Member |- |{{flag|Yemen}} | July 11, 2000 | {{cite news | author = Africast.com | url = http://news.africast.com/article.php?newsID=19280 | title = Yemen supports Morocco's efforts to protect territorial integrity | publisher = Africast.com | date = 2000-07-12 | accessdate = 2006-08-20 | language = English}} <br>{{flag|OIC}} Member<br>{{flag|Arab League}} Member |- |{{flag|Serbia}}<ref name = "Serbia">{{cite news | date = [[2004-10-28]] | accessdate = 2006-07-15 | title = Serbia-Montenegro withdraws recognition of Sahara Republic | url = http://www.balkanpeace.org/hed/archive/oct04/hed6769.shtml }}</ref> | | |- |{{flag|Vanuatu}}<ref name = "Vanuatu">{{cite news | url = http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/001215/2000121519.html | title = Morocco and Vanuatu to start diplomatic relations | date = [[2000-12-15]] | publisher = Arabicnews.com | accessdate = 2006-07-15 }}</ref> | | |} ==Other states== {{flag|CAN}} - [[Canada]] does not recognizes the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic, the POLISARIO Front, or Moroccan sovereignty over the territory. Canada no longer participates in the Western Sahara peacekeeping force (MINURSO) but supports its presence. It also supports efforts made by the UN and the involved parties in achieving a peaceful settlement of the conflict<ref name="CAN">[http://geo.international.gc.ca/cip-pic/geo/western-sahara-bb-en.aspx Canada - Western Sahara relations ]</ref>. {{flag|USA}} - Commenting on a 2004 free trade agreement with [[Morocco]], [[Office of the United States Trade Representative|US Trade Representative]] [[Robert Zoellick]] stated in a letter to Congressman [[Joe Pitts]], in response to his questioning, "the United States and many other countries do not recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and have consistently urged the parties to work with the United Nations to resolve the conflict by peaceful means. The Free Trade Agreement will not include Western Sahara."<ref name = "Qantara" /> <ref name="USA">[http://www.house.gov/pitts/temporary/040719l-ustr-moroccoFTA.pdf Letter from the trade office to Congressman Joe Pitts]</ref>. ==See also== * [[Foreign relations of Morocco#Western Sahara|Foreign relations of Morocco]] * [[Polisario]] * [[List of unrecognised countries]] ==References== *Hodges, Tony. ''Western Sahara: Roots of a Desert War'', Lawrence Hill & Company, 1983, ISBN 0882081527 , p. 308 *Hodges, Tony, and Pazzanita, Anthony. ''Historical Dictionary of Western Sahara'', 2 ed., Scarecrow Press, 1994, ISBN 0810826615 , pp. 378-379. {{Reflist}} ==External links== ===Tables of states recognizing the SADR=== *[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Western_Sahara.html World Statesmen] *[http://www.wsahara.net/recognitions.html Western Sahara On-line] *[http://www.ambrasd.org/ES/1e1es.htm The SADR] {{es}} *[http://www.lasonet.com/rasdpaises.htm Lasonet.com] {{es}} *[http://www.amigosdelsahara.net/Embajadas.htm Friends of the Sahara] {{es}} *[http://www.arso.org/03-2.htm The Association for a Free and Fair Referendum in Western Sahara] ===Others=== *[http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/020301/2002030126.html Arabic News - Senegal supports Morocco's territorial integrity] *[http://www.balkanpeace.org/hed/archive/oct04/hed6769.shtml Balkan Peace - Serbia-Montenegro withdraws recognition of Sahara Republic] *[http://www.moroccotimes.com/paper/article.asp?idr=2&id=11765 Morocco Times - Sahara issue - Sudan supports Moroccan territorial integrity] *[http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/020913/2002091318.html Arabic News - Morocco, Gabon voice resolve to enhance cooperation] [[Category:Politics of Morocco|Western Sahara]] [[Category:Politics of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic]] [[Category:Western Sahara]] [[fr:Statut du Sahara occidental]] [[it:Relazioni estere del Sahara Occidentale]]