Saharawis

Current situation:

Over half of the Saharawis live in exile in a barren and remote stretch of the Algerian desert. Here close to 200,000 have been refugees for more than 30 years, entirely dependent on precarious aid flows.

History with key dates:
The saharawi population used to be nomadic in Western Sahara (currently the South of Morroco).

Western Sahara is a previous Spanish colony (from the beginning of the 20th century).

1956 : Independence given to Morocco by France.

1975 : Franco’s death --> Independence given by Morocco.
The independence is given very quickly, the decolonisation is not prepared.

6 novembre 1975 : Marche verte.
Morocco annexes Western Sahara without any negotiation.
200 000 Saharawis have to leave their land and find exile in the Algerian desert.

1976: creation of Polisario (movement for Saharawis independence)

Polisario: Unique political party of the Saharawi state.

1978: First nationalist revendications.

1978 to 1991 : WAR

1980-1987: Building of the wall to protect the Moroccan’s positions

1991 : Cease-Fire