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Analysis of the Moroccan Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara: International Legality, Resource Management, and Democratic Prospects

The Moroccan Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara, proposed in 2007, is built on a legally contentious premise: it assumes that Morocco holds sovereignty over the territory. However, Western Sahara has been listed as a non-self-governing territory by the United Nations since 1963, and Morocco is not recognized as its administering power under international law. In the absence of recognized sovereignty, any initiative framed within Morocco’s constitutional framework lacks legal foundation. This fundamental contradiction undermines the plan’s credibility and raises critical questions about its legitimacy. 1. The Autonomy Plan and International Legality 1.1. Western Sahara: A non-self-governing territory Western Sahara has been classified as a non-self-governing territory by the United Nations since 1963. Article 73 of the UN Charter affirms the inalienable right of the peoples of such territories to self-determination, including the options of independence, integration with another state, or...

The Illusion of the Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara

Since its introduction in 2007, with support from France, Morocco's proposed autonomy plan for Western Sahara has faced significant criticism, raising serious questions about its credibility and true intentions. This plan, condensed into just three and a half pages, appears more like a propaganda tool than a serious proposal to resolve such a complex conflict. A Proposal Lacking Credibility One of the main criticisms of this plan is its lack of depth. How can a conflict of this magnitude be addressed with such a superficial proposal? Moreover, this plan was never presented to the Polisario Front, the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people, as recognized by the United Nations in numerous resolutions (notably Resolutions 34/37 of 1979 and 35/19 of 1980). This refusal to engage in direct dialogue reflects blatant disregard for the Sahrawis and their inalienable right to self-determination. A Legal Contradiction: How Can Morocco Offer Autonomy? A fundamental issue often overlo...

The Boualem Sansal Case: When France Criticizes Algeria but Forgets Its Own Laws – Outrage with Double Standards

In recent weeks, a controversy has erupted in the French media over the application of Article 87 bis of the Algerian Penal Code, which penalizes acts that threaten state security, territorial integrity, stability, and the normal functioning of institutions. Some French journalists and elites, particularly from the hard right or far-right, have characterized the strict enforcement of this article in the Boualem Sansal case as a "witch hunt" against freedom of expression in Algeria. However, this outrage seems to suffer from a glaring double standard. Similar Provisions in French Law What these critics deliberately omit is that the French Penal Code also includes similar, if not stricter, provisions to protect national security, territorial integrity, and the proper functioning of institutions. Articles 411-1 and subsequent sections of the French Penal Code impose severe penalties for actions that threaten the nation’s fundamental interests. For example, Article 412-1 penalize...

The Myth of Algeria’s Need for Atlantic Access: A Tool of Moroccan Propaganda

For decades, Moroccan authorities and media have perpetuated the idea that Algeria has a strategic ambition to gain direct access to the Atlantic Ocean. This narrative, which is both exaggerated and disconnected from economic and geopolitical realities, is often used to justify Morocco's claims over Western Sahara. Upon closer examination, it becomes clear that this claim is not supported by facts but is instead a rhetorical tool aimed at legitimizing Moroccan policies in the region. 1. The Moroccan Narrative: A Geopolitical Fiction Morocco frequently portrays Algeria as having expansionist ambitions, suggesting that its support for the Sahrawi people and their right to self-determination is driven by hidden strategic interests rather than principles of justice or international law. However, this hypothesis is baseless: Algeria already has extensive maritime access. With over 1,600 kilometers of Mediterranean coastline, Algeria is well-positioned to engage in global trade routes. ...

Why is Algeria immobile in the face of France's hostile actions?

The already tense relations between Algiers and Paris are becoming increasingly concerning. For months, France has intensified its hostile actions against Algeria, ranging from orchestrated media campaigns to more serious incidents involving its intelligence services. However, despite irrefutable evidence of these acts, Algeria seems to limit itself to traditional diplomatic responses, such as summoning the French ambassador, Stéphane Romatet, by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. While this gesture is symbolic, it remains insufficient given the gravity of the accusations. A weak response to serious allegations According to reports from several media outlets, including El Moudjahid , the French intelligence agency "DGSE" has been implicated in operations aimed at destabilizing Algeria, including recruiting former terrorists to carry out subversive acts. The testimony of Mohamed Amine Aïssaoui, broadcast on AL24 News , highlights the severity and implications of these a...

Regime Change in Syria and Emerging Geopolitical Dynamics

Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, the region has been a stage for complex geopolitical stakes involving regional and global powers. The gradual collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime has led to a new redistribution of influence, with a likely agreement between Turkey, Russia, and Iran to enable a controlled transfer of power. This strategic shift also raises questions about Israel's attitude, particularly regarding its annexation policy in the Golan Heights , which aligns with its broader ambition to achieve the project of Greater Israel . 1. The Key Players: A Delicate Balance of Power Three main factions opposed the Syrian regime: The Kurds , seeking autonomy in northern Syria. Salafist-jihadist groups affiliated with Daesh (ISIS), whose objectives focused on establishing a transnational caliphate. Turkey-backed factions , primarily linked to the Muslim Brotherhood . Today, Turkey appears to benefit the most by installing its allies in power. Under Turkish ...

Algeria Today is Just the Numidia of Yesterday: A Historical and Cultural Continuity

The assertion that modern Algeria is a continuation of ancient Numidia is rooted in the shared historical, cultural, and geographical foundations of the two entities. This article argues that despite political, social, and religious transformations, contemporary Algeria retains key elements inherited from Numidia. By exploring historical, geographical, and identity dynamics, we aim to demonstrate how ancient Numidia serves as a crucial framework for understanding present-day Algeria. Numidia, the ancient Berber kingdom, holds a fundamental place in the history of North Africa. Situated primarily in what is now Algeria, it played a strategic role between the Mediterranean world and the African interior. Founded by prominent figures like Massinissa, Numidia represented a local political and cultural power that interacted with major civilizations like Carthage and Rome. This article defends the hypothesis that modern Algeria, in its territorial, cultural, and identity dimensions, is a dir...