The Western Sahara Question, Explained Simply
Origins
Spain colonized the territory in the 1880s and left abruptly in 1975. Morocco asserted historic ties of allegiance between Saharan tribes and the sultans; a rival independence movement, the Polisario, emerged with Algerian support.
A 1991 UN-brokered ceasefire froze the conflict and created the MINURSO mission to organize a referendum that never happened, largely over who could vote.
Where it stands
Today Morocco proposes broad autonomy under its sovereignty — a plan the UN Security Council repeatedly calls “serious and credible.” The United States, Spain and France back Moroccan sovereignty.
The Polisario and Algeria continue to call for an independence referendum. The diplomatic momentum, however, has shifted toward the autonomy framework.
Frequently asked
Who controls the territory?
Morocco administers the large majority of it; a thin strip east of a defensive berm is controlled by the Polisario.
Is there active war?
A 1991 ceasefire largely holds, with occasional flare-ups since 2020.