What is in the news?

• The US has recognised the sovereignty of Morocco over disputed territory of Western Sahara. 
• In turn Morocco became 4th Arab country to normalise relations with Israel as part of the deal.

What is Western Sahara dispute?

• Western Sahara was a Spain colonised country which is slightly bigger than the state of Uttar Pradesh. 
• In 1975, Spain withdrew from Western Sahara, partitioning the region between Morocco, which received the region’s northern two-thirds, and Mauritania the remaining third in the south.
• The Mauritania part is being controlled by Western Sahara’s Sahrawi ethnic group, they are called POLISARIO and they run a government called Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).
• But over the years Morocco has annexed parts of the Polisario controlled area and today it has been claiming that Western Sahara is a part of Morocco.  A UN-brokered ceasefire stopped the war between them in 1991.

• Since then, Morocco is relocating its people in the occupied region and it has also denied referendum in the occupied region.
• The SADR is opposing Morocco’s behaviour in Western Sahara, it is asking Morocco to conduct referendums in the regions it occupied.
• The SADR/Polisario has been recognised by around 70 countries, and is a member of the African Union, but lacks recognition from the world’s major powers, as well as the United Nations.

Geographical Importance of Western Sahara

• Western Sahara is mineral rich: home to abundant reserves of phosphate, a key ingredient in the manufacturing of synthetic fertilisers. 
• It has also lucrative fish resources and is believed to have off-shore oil.

India and Western Sahara

• India had recognised SADR in 1985 but cancelled its diplomatic ties in the year 2000.
• India appreciated Morocco’s normalisation of ties with Israel. 

Implications of US recognition 

• It is good for Morocco as it is a symbolic victory for it. It has tried decades to get this status and is hopeful that other countries will follow the lead.
• Critics have predicted that Washington’s decision could increase hostilities in the region, which in turn would further destabilise Western Africa.

Reference:

1. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-the-significance-of-us-recognising-moroccos-sovereignty-over-western-sahara-7102282/