A New Horizon for the Sahara Question in Light of Global Developments

italiatelegraph

Abdelaziz El Amrani
Moroccan Academic

The call by Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), to abandon armed struggle and adopt dialogue and democracy as the sole means of conflict resolution marked a historic turning point in the region’s ethno-political struggles. After nearly four decades of violent confrontation between the PKK and the Turkish state, Öcalan emphasized that “there is no way forward other than democracy and democratic dialogue” and that “the language of the era is peace.”

These declarations reflect a profound realization that armed conflicts rooted in rigid nationalist ideologies and separatist agendas merely prolong suffering and complicate viable solutions. After decades of confrontation, Öcalan came to understand that the shared destinies of peoples require dialogue instead of violence, and coexistence rather than confrontation.

In the context of the Moroccan Sahara issue, Öcalan’s call provides a powerful lesson for the separatist Polisario Front. After five decades of a fabricated conflict, the language of war has proven futile, leading only to political stagnation and humanitarian crises in the Tindouf camps. Just as Öcalan recognized that the only way to resolve the Kurdish question within the Turkish State was through democratic engagement and peaceful coexistence, so too must the Polisario acknowledge that the optimal solution to the Moroccan Sahara question lies in embracing Morocco’s democratic trajectory, rather than clinging to a separatist project that no longer enjoys the international backing it once did. This shift in global perception is largely due to the success of Moroccan diplomacy in recent years.

The recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces by the United States under President Donald Trump, and its endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy initiative as a serious, credible, and realistic solution, marked a significant diplomatic triumph. Moreover, major European powers such as France, Germany, and Spain have reiterated their support for Morocco’s territorial integrity. Germany described Morocco’s autonomy proposal as a credible and solid basis for resolving the conflict, while Spain went further, calling it “the most serious, realistic, and credible basis.” France has consistently reaffirmed its long-standing support for Morocco’s initiative.

In his landmark speech, King Mohammed VI affirmed that “the Sahara issue is the prism through which Morocco views the world,” asserting that international partnerships are judged by the position countries take on Morocco’s territorial unity. This principled stance has allowed Morocco to distinguish between genuine allies and those whose positions remain ambiguous.

Drawing from my personal experience as an English professor in the city of Dakhla, I have had the opportunity to interact directly with Sahrawi students and local inhabitants. These engagements revealed a strong sense of national pride and a deep commitment to Moroccan identity among Sahrawis. In our discussions, many expressed their rejection of separatist narratives, affirming that the Polisario does not represent their views. Their voices, as residents of cities such as Dakhla and Laayoune, must be acknowledged when discussing the so-called “Sahrawi people.” Reducing the entire population to a single separatist movement is both reductive and unjust.

In alignment with Öcalan’s call, the most constructive path forward for the Polisario would be to renounce armed struggle, dissolve itself as a militant entity, and reconstitute as a political movement committed to development and dialogue within the framework of Morocco’s autonomy initiative. Continued militarization and separatist posturing only serve to deepen the suffering of Sahrawis and diminish the international relevance of their cause. Through sincere engagement with the political process, Sahrawis can shift from being a part of the problem to being key actors in the solution.

It has become increasingly evident that separatist ambitions primarily serve external interests seeking to exploit the conflict for geopolitical leverage, while it is the Sahrawi people who bear the cost. As Öcalan envisioned a “fraternal democratic republic,” the leadership of the Polisario must recognize that Morocco offers the natural and legitimate framework for resolving the dispute. Integration into Morocco’s autonomy initiative would allow for inclusive nation-building and a shared future for all Moroccans – Sahrawis included.

Öcalan’s statements constitute a significant ideological shift in approaches to ethno-nationalist conflict and provide an important lesson to the Polisario. Armed struggle leads only to political deadlock and social despair. In contrast, a path grounded in peace, dialogue, and democratic participation opens the door to sustainable and inclusive solutions. Morocco, by offering a practical and politically viable autonomy plan, invites all Sahrawis to shape their future within a unified national sovereignty, away from separatist illusions that have yielded only suffering and stagnation.

The Moroccan Sahara issue is a remnant of Cold War politics, artificially sustained by regional actors such as Algeria and Libya. The time has come to close this chapter definitively and move toward the full implementation of Morocco’s autonomy plan. Empowering local populations to manage their affairs will lay the foundation for sustainable development in a secure and stable environment – an outcome that serves the interests of the region and the aspirations of the Sahrawi people alike.

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