In a world marked by rising war tensions and conflict in places like Gaza, Ukraine and Yemen, the 48th anniversary of the proclamation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic on February 27 invites us to reflect on the meaning of peace in one to reflect on the context in which the escalation of violence threatens to destroy any possibility of international harmony.
Paradoxically, the Western Sahara conflict does not appear to be one of the conflicts that most concerns the international community. The International Crisis Group's 2022 annual report did not include the Sahrawi conflict among the ten conflicts to be taken into account in 2023, although it also did not foresee the Gaza crisis.
In the current global panorama, peace is at a crossroads and is being challenged by conflicts that seem to be emerging in different parts of the world. From the live-streamed genocide in Gaza to the conflicts in Ukraine and Yemen, it is clear that the escalation of violence is increasing. But that is only the visible side of the coin.
According to the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, there are currently more than a hundred armed conflicts worldwide, including seven in Europe and 45 in North Africa and the Middle East. Meanwhile, recently, the more than 350 high-level participants from more than 70 countries who attended the Munich Security Conference highlighted the incoherence of foreign policy and demonstrated a double standard in the application of personalized international law in the conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine.
A call for peace and dialogue
Although the motto of this conference, which began in 1963, is “Peace through Dialogue,” peace and dialogue have disappeared from the equation, pushed into the background by an exchange of accusations and requests for arms support. Only European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reflected on the democratic costs of the current global situation, wondering whether “democracy will survive in the world and whether we can defend our values.”
In this context, the anniversary of the proclamation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic takes on particular significance as it reminds us of the urgent need to prioritize peace over discord. Over the decades, the Sahrawi people have maintained a firm commitment to peace, even amidst provocations and treaty breaches from Morocco. His desire for a peaceful future was clearly expressed in his participation in conflict resolution efforts and his constant willingness to negotiate peace.
Despite the adversities, Sahrawis have shown admirable resilience and reaffirmed their commitment to regional stability, in a context where no one seems to remember that this conflict has now been going on for 48 years at the gates of Europe and has left more than 250,000 people dead Fighting for survival in the refugee camps of Tindouf, which are increasingly forgotten by donors and international society.
Although the Sahrawi people have references such as Aminetu Haidar, internationally recognized for her peaceful resistance and fight for human rights, reminding us that peace remains a fundamental goal for the Sahrawi people despite provocations and challenges, the international community is committed To whitewash Morocco by giving it the presidency of the Human Rights Council.
The complex international relations
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's recent trip to Morocco has raised questions about his commitment to international law. Ignoring Morocco's occupation and exploitation of Sahrawi territory not only violates fundamental principles, but also highlights the complexity of international relations in an increasingly interconnected world.
In this critical context, spaces for reflection are needed that can shed some light on this gloomy panorama. Soon, the University of Deusto will host the conference “Western Sahara: Exploring new perspectives from international law and international relations” to analyze the complexity of the situation in Western Sahara, explore new perspectives and seek solutions from the field of international law and international to seek relationships. It will be a space for constructive dialogue in the hope of finding paths to peace and justice in a region riddled with controversy.
To paraphrase Hannah Arendt: “In dark times,” it is essential to remember that peace and international cooperation are fundamental to building a sustainable and just future. The situation in Western Sahara gives us an opportunity to reflect on how we can move towards a world in which respect for international law and the peaceful resolution of conflicts are the norm, not the exception.