The area formerly known as the Spanish Sahara is now known as Western Sahara.
Western Sahara is a territory located on the northwest coast of Africa. According to BBC News, it was a sparsely-populated area of mostly desert that served as a former Spanish colony.
Status of Western Sahara
Following Spain's withdrawal, the territory was annexed by Morocco in 1975. Since this annexation, Western Sahara has been the focus of a long-running territorial dispute.
Key aspects of the current situation include:
- Parties Involved: The dispute is primarily between Morocco and the indigenous Sahrawi people.
- Sahrawi Leadership: The Sahrawi people are represented by the Polisario Front.
- Current Control: Morocco controls the majority of the territory, while the Polisario Front controls a smaller, eastern part.
- International Recognition: The international community generally does not recognize Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara, and the United Nations considers it a non-self-governing territory.
Here is a summary based on the reference:
| Former Name | Current Name | Administering Power (historical) | Annexed By | Current Status | Key Dispute Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish Sahara | Western Sahara | Spain | Morocco | Disputed Territory | Polisario Front |
The history of the Spanish Sahara transitioned directly into the modern territorial conflict over Western Sahara after the departure of the colonial power.
