In spite of the considerable amount of research that has been conducted on the question of Western Sahara, misconceptions about this protracted conflict still abound. Using a constructivist approach, this qualitative study addresses crucial themes that have been overlooked in previous literature. It provides insights into the academic and political marginalization of the Sahrawi people in the Algerian Sahara and beyond, particularly in relation to their exclusion from the self-determination discourse. By advocating for the international community to recognize the Moroccanness of Western Sahara, this study emphasizes the significance of the historical and present ties between the Sahrawi people and Morocco. It examines the humanitarian conditions in the Polisario Front camps, raises questions of accountability, and evaluates the feasibility of the Moroccan autonomy plan. Furthermore, it highlights the potential risks associated with the creation of a failed Polisario state.
Table of Contents
I. INTRODUCTION
II. LITERATURE REVIEW
Opponents of Moroccan Sovereignty
Proponents of Moroccan Sovereignty
Literature Gaps
Theoretical Perspectives
III. METHODOLOGY
Literature Review Variable
Operationalization and Correlation
A Constructivist Analysis
Study Limitations
IV. FINDINGS & ANALYSIS
V. CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Themes
This thesis investigates the Western Sahara conflict by evaluating arguments for and against Moroccan sovereignty. It seeks to address overlooked themes—such as the Moroccan autonomy plan, humanitarian conditions in Polisario-controlled camps, and historical pre-colonial ties—to determine if international recognition of Moroccan sovereignty is the most viable path for regional stability and conflict resolution.
- Analysis of the historical and legal ties between Morocco and the Sahrawi people.
- Evaluation of the Moroccan autonomy plan as a framework for regional governance.
- Examination of the humanitarian and security crises within Polisario-controlled refugee camps.
- Comparative analysis of Western Sahara’s self-determination discourse against the backdrop of failed states like South Sudan.
- Assessment of the geostrategic implications and stability risks of a potential independent, non-viable state.
Excerpt from the Book
Pre-Colonial Ties with Morocco
By confirming the existence of pre-colonial legal ties between Morocco and Western Sahara, the International Court of Justice added a legal aspect to the already existing academic work dedicated to this subject. It is important to note that the paper’s focus in this section is the immediate pre-colonial era; therefore, Moroccan territories that cover part of Algeria and Mauritania which represent a distant past will not be discussed.
Bouzouita (2016) outstandingly described the nature and peculiarities of the legal ties between Morocco and Western Sahara in the pre-colonial era. The researcher provided a collection of images representing precious historical documents that have never been challenged by archeological expertise. The type of legal ties between Morocco and the Sahrawi people, he explained, is called Bay’a –From Arabic (بيعة) – pledge of allegiance. It took the form of an oral or written oath of allegiance delivered to the leader directly or by representatives of different tribes under his authority. It was practiced by the prophet Muhammad and continued as a legal tradition in Morocco where it constitutes the foundation of the Moroccan monarchy (Bouzouita 2016, 7). Although the ICJ recognized the existence of legal ties between some Western Sahara tribes and Mauritania, Morocco maintains the upper hand thanks to the existence of legal ties at the highest levels directly involving the Moroccan monarch, unlike ties with local Mauritanian authorities that can be compared function wise to modern municipal level of governance.
Summary of Chapters
I. INTRODUCTION: The introduction establishes the Western Sahara conflict as a protracted dispute and argues for the necessity of investigating a permanent resolution through international recognition of Moroccan sovereignty.
II. LITERATURE REVIEW: This chapter analyzes existing scholarly arguments regarding Western Sahara, contrasting the "colonization" narrative with historical claims of sovereignty and noting significant gaps in the literature regarding autonomy plans and humanitarian realities.
III. METHODOLOGY: This section details the qualitative research design, employing a constructivist approach and deductive reasoning to test the hypothesis of the non-viability of an independent Western Sahara state.
IV. FINDINGS & ANALYSIS: This chapter argues that the evidence supports Moroccan sovereignty, emphasizing the risk of state failure and advocating for a shift in analysis from simple decolonization narratives to a more comprehensive view of regional stability.
V. CONCLUSION: The final chapter summarizes the findings, reiterating that legitimate historical and socio-economic reasons support the Moroccanness of Western Sahara and calling for international intervention to end the conflict through the Moroccan autonomy plan.
Keywords
Western Sahara, Morocco, Polisario Front, Moroccan Sovereignty, Autonomy Plan, Self-determination, Decolonization, Regional Stability, Failed State, Constructivism, Bay’a, Humanitarian Crisis, South Sudan, Geopolitics, International Recognition
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core argument of this thesis?
The thesis argues that international recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara is necessary to ensure regional stability and replace the current, protracted conflict with a viable path forward.
What are the central thematic fields discussed?
The work centers on the statehood argument, the humanitarian conditions in refugee camps, the strategic security importance of the region, and the significance of historical ties between Morocco and the Sahrawi people.
What is the primary objective of the research?
The primary objective is to make a compelling case for Moroccan sovereignty by providing a critical assessment of academic literature and filling gaps regarding the feasibility of an independent state versus the Moroccan autonomy proposal.
Which methodology does the author utilize?
The author uses a qualitative research methodology with a constructivist theoretical framework to analyze non-numerical data and evaluate the causal factors influencing the conflict.
How is the main body of the work structured?
The main body moves from a review of existing academic perspectives and gaps, through a methodological explanation, to an analytical findings section that assesses the potential for state failure versus successful integration.
Which keywords best describe the research?
The core keywords include Western Sahara, Moroccan sovereignty, autonomy plan, regional stability, constructivism, and humanitarian crisis.
How does the author use the example of South Sudan?
The author uses South Sudan as a comparable case study to illustrate the risks of state failure when a territory secedes without a sufficient foundation for economic, administrative, and political viability.
What is the significance of the "Bay'a" in this analysis?
The "Bay'a" is presented as a vital legal and historical bond—a pledge of allegiance—that demonstrates the long-standing ties between the Moroccan monarchy and Sahrawi tribes, challenging the narrative of colonization.
- Quote paper
- Yasser Harrak Srifi (Author), 2023, Advocating International Recognition of Moroccan Sovereignty over Western Sahara, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1362897
