European Parliament conference demands self-determination for Sahrawi people
Experts and MEPs in Brussels called for the decolonization of Western Sahara and warned of regional instability.
A conference at the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday called for the decolonization of Western Sahara and for the Sahrawi people to exercise their right to self-determination, freedom, and independence. Participants warned that prolonging the conflict could impact regional security and stability. Oubbi Bouchraya stated that the Sahrawi people would not renounce their right to self-determination and sovereignty over their natural resources.
The conference, titled "The plunder of Sahrawi natural resources and tourism under occupation," was organized by the European Parliament's Intergroup on Solidarity with the Sahrawi People and the Sahrawi Commission for Natural Resources and Legal Issues. It included Members of the European Parliament, lawyers, and international law experts. They emphasized that the UN's responsibility to complete the decolonization process continues despite the non-renewal of MINURSO's mandate.
A report presented at the conference, "Tourism under the context of occupation: the case of the occupied city of Dajla," detailed Morocco's continued exploitation of Sahrawi natural resources, particularly through illegal agreements with the EU. The report highlighted tourism investments, including Ryanair flights to Dajla, as a means to consolidate economic occupation and legitimize it through foreign investment.
Why it mattersThe Sahrawi people are directly affected by the ongoing conflict and the exploitation of their natural resources, as highlighted by the conference and report.