Expel Morocco from the African Union

THE ongoing occupation of Western Sahara by Morocco represents a stark and enduring violation of international law, a blatant disregard for human rights, and a profound betrayal of the African Union's founding principles.

- VERONICA MENTE

As we commemorate Land Reclamation Month this April at the EFF, we have to remember those who are still fighting against land occupation on this continent.

For over four decades, the Sahrawi people have endured displacement, oppression, and the denial of their fundamental right to self-determination. This injustice demands a decisive response from the international community, and the call for Morocco's expulsion from the AU is a crucial step towards holding the kingdom accountable and achieving a just resolution to this protracted conflict.

The historical context of the conflict reveals a pattern of colonialism and dispossession. Following Spain's withdrawal from Western Sahara in 1975, Morocco swiftly moved to occupy the territory, despite the International Court of Justice's affirmation of the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination.

This act of annexation met with resistance from the Polisario Front and triggered a protracted armed struggle and a humanitarian crisis that continues to this day. Thousands of Sahrawi refugees remain displaced in camps in Algeria, enduring harsh conditions and relying on international aid for survival.

Within the occupied territories, the Sahrawi population faces systematic human rights abuses. Reports from international organisations document restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, arbitrary arrests and detentions, and torture.

The Moroccan authorities maintain a tight grip on information, making it difficult for independent observers to document the full extent of the repression. This climate of fear and intimidation serves to silence dissent and perpetuate the occupation.