FISHING IN TROUBLED WATERS
Today, the main fishing activities of Morocco take place illegally in Western Sahara and goes along with a massive migration of Moroccan workers, which fuels the conflict resolution.
Western Sahara is considered a non-autonomous territory by the United Nations, a colony waiting for its self-determination referendum. Morocco is considered as the occupying power since the annexation of the territory in 1975. Consequently, international law stipulates that Morocco cannot exploit the natural resources of this territory without the explicit agreement of the Sahrawi people. The occupying power cannot deport or transfer parts of its own population into the territory it occupies.
In 2016, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that since Western Sahara has a "separate and distinct status" from Morocco, no EU trade or Association agreement with Morocco can be applied to the territory without the explicit consent of the Saharawi people. However, the Morocco-EU fisheries agreement has not been canceled since.
Western Sahara is considered a non-autonomous territory by the United Nations, a colony waiting for its self-determination referendum. Morocco is considered as the occupying power since the annexation of the territory in 1975. Consequently, international law stipulates that Morocco cannot exploit the natural resources of this territory without the explicit agreement of the Sahrawi people. The occupying power cannot deport or transfer parts of its own population into the territory it occupies.
In 2016, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that since Western Sahara has a "separate and distinct status" from Morocco, no EU trade or Association agreement with Morocco can be applied to the territory without the explicit consent of the Saharawi people. However, the Morocco-EU fisheries agreement has not been canceled since.
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From 2014 to 2018, within the framework of the fisheries agreement between the European Union and Morocco, the EU granted Morocco 56 million euros in aid for developing its fishing sector. 66% of this amount was spent to develop infrastructures dedicated to fishing in Western Sahara - with the explicit approval of the EU for each project.
According to international laws, "all states are under an obligation not to recognize the illegal situation resulting from an annexation and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining this illegal situation."
Nevertheless, Morocco continues to occupy, colonize and plunder the territory from it's natural ressources, with the strong support of the European Union.
EU support for fisheries will have greatly contributed to strengthening the Moroccan fishing industry, developing a dozen ports and fishing villages in Western Sahara.
By offering work opportunities to Moroccans, a massive migration has taken place and colonized the coastline. Consequently, Moroccans slums have spread out all around ports and will soon be absorbed by the new towns. As the exploitation of resources and the Moroccan occupation progress in this desert, the chances for the Saharawi people to exercise their right to self-determination are reduced.
According to international laws, "all states are under an obligation not to recognize the illegal situation resulting from an annexation and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining this illegal situation."
Nevertheless, Morocco continues to occupy, colonize and plunder the territory from it's natural ressources, with the strong support of the European Union.
EU support for fisheries will have greatly contributed to strengthening the Moroccan fishing industry, developing a dozen ports and fishing villages in Western Sahara.
By offering work opportunities to Moroccans, a massive migration has taken place and colonized the coastline. Consequently, Moroccans slums have spread out all around ports and will soon be absorbed by the new towns. As the exploitation of resources and the Moroccan occupation progress in this desert, the chances for the Saharawi people to exercise their right to self-determination are reduced.
