(3 minutes read)
· Lawmakers in Morocco recently integrated waters off the coast
of Western Sahara into the country’s maritime territory, under the
umbrage of two laws that extend its legal jurisdiction over the
disputed former Spanish colony
· The dispute over the delimitation of the maritime territory,
whose status is still unresolved, has in the past sparked tensions
between Morocco and Spain, particularly after oil exploration in the
area
Lawmakers in Morocco recently integrated waters off the coast of
Western Sahara into the country’s maritime territory, under the
umbrage of two laws that extend its legal jurisdiction over the
disputed former Spanish colony. These laws aim to update the national
legal arsenal in line with the full sovereignty of the kingdom over
its land and maritime borders.
The laws will establish Morocco’s jurisdiction over territorial waters
stretching from Tangiers on the northern coast as far as Lagouira, on
the border with Mauritania. The expansive desert territory of Western
Sahara lies north of Mauritania. It is bordered to the west by around
1,000 kilometers (620 miles) of Atlantic coastline. Morocco has
controlled most of the territory (80%) since the 1970s and views it as
an integral part of the kingdom. That claim is disputed by the
Polisario Front, an Algerian-backed independence movement. The
Polisario fought a war for independence from 1975 to 1991. It wants a
referendum in which the people of Western Sahara choose between
independence and integration with Morocco. Rabat offered autonomy but
insists it will retain sovereignty.
The dispute over the delimitation of the maritime territory, whose
status is still unresolved, has in the past sparked tensions between
Morocco and Spain, particularly after oil exploration in the area. The
issue will be addressed during the first visit to Rabat by new Spanish
foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez. In mid-December, the Spanish
government reminded Morocco that the delimitation of maritime borders
with neighboring countries was governed by mutual agreement.
