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{{Short description|Term used by Morocco for Western Sahara}}{{Coord|25|N|13|W|type:country|display=title}}{{About|Morocco's administration of Western Sahara|other territories|Southern Province (disambiguation){{!}}Southern Province}} |
{{Short description|Term used by Morocco for Western Sahara}}{{Coord|25|N|13|W|type:country|display=title}}{{About|Morocco's administration of Western Sahara|other territories|Southern Province (disambiguation){{!}}Southern Province}} |
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{{more citations needed|date=August 2012}} |
{{more citations needed|date=August 2012}} |
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⚫ | The '''Southern Provinces''' ({{lang-ar|الأقاليم الجنوبية|Al-Aqalim al-Janubiyah}}, {{lang-fr|Provinces du Sud}}<!--Due to the de facto status of French-->) or '''Moroccan Sahara''' ({{lang-ar|الصحراء المغربية|Assahra al-Maghribiya}}, {{lang-fr|Sahara marocain}}) The southern provinces of Morocco are a region located in the southernmost part of the country. |
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[[File:Sahrawi-Morrocan Dispute Map.png|thumb|270x270px|Current map of the territories controlled by the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and the Southern Provinces of Morocco]] |
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The southern provinces of Morocco, include the following territories: |
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⚫ | The '''Southern Provinces''' ({{lang-ar|الأقاليم الجنوبية|Al-Aqalim al-Janubiyah}}, {{lang-fr|Provinces du Sud}}<!--Due to the de facto status of French-->) or '''Moroccan Sahara''' ({{lang-ar|الصحراء المغربية|Assahra al-Maghribiya}}, {{lang-fr|Sahara marocain}}) |
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[[File:Guelmim-Oued Noun in Morocco.png|thumb| |
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==Background== |
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[[Guelmim-Oued Noun|Guelim-Oued Noun]]: This region includes the city of Es-Semara. It plays a crucial role in the development and administration of the Southern Provinces.]] |
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[[File:Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra in Morocco.png|thumb| |
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⚫ | A locally based [[Sahrawi people|Sahrawi]] national [[ |
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[[Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra|Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra]]: Laayoune is the largest city and administrative capital of the Southern Provinces. It is situated along the Atlantic coast and serves as a significant economic and cultural hub in the region.]] |
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[[File:Dakhla-Oued Ed Dahab in Morocco.png|thumb| |
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⚫ | Since a [[United Nations]]-brokered ceasefire agreement in 1991, approximately two-thirds of the territory has been administered by Morocco, encompassing most of the coastline. This area is separated from the eastern third controlled by the Polisario Front by |
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[[Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab]]: Dakhla, located further south along the Atlantic coast, is another prominent city in the Southern Provinces. This region is known for its coastal beauty and potential for tourism and fisheries.]] |
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This vast territory encompasses [[Western Sahara]], a historically contentious and disputed region which was previously known as [[Spanish Sahara]] before becoming a focal point of international dispute and regional conflict.<ref>See also: Disputed Western Sahara timeline: |
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https://culturesofresistancefilms.com/ws-timeline/ |
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</ref> |
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The Southern Provinces have a diverse landscape, featuring a mix of arid desert expanses, coastal areas along the [[Atlantic Ocean]], and mountainous terrain. The region's geographical diversity has contributed to its unique cultural heritage and economic activities. |
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The ceasefire line corresponds to the route of the Berm, with both sides asserting sovereignty over the entire territory of Western Sahara. The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic has received recognition from 84 nations and is a full member of the [[African Union]], though not of the UN. The Arab League implicitly recognizes Moroccan territorial integrity, albeit with significant reservations from Algeria and Syria.{{citation needed|date=March 2013}} |
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The administration and development of the Southern Provinces are overseen by the "Agence du Sud" a public institution tasked with promoting economic growth and social development in the region. This agency plays a crucial role in addressing the specific needs and challenges faced by the local population.<ref>http://www.lagencedusud.gov.ma/</ref> |
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One of the most significant aspects of the Southern Provinces is the ongoing dispute over the status of Western Sahara. The region has been a subject of contention between Morocco, which claims sovereignty over it, and the Polisario Front, a separatist movement seeking separation between Morocco and the [[Sahrawis|Sahrawi People]]. This dispute has had far-reaching political, diplomatic, and humanitarian implications over the years.<ref>https://www.dw.com/en/moroccos-territorial-claims-on-western-sahara-a-new-conflict-brewing/a-66288761</ref> |
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The Southern Provinces cover an expansive territory, spanning across three of Morocco's top-level administrative regions. The region's strategic location, natural resources, and historical significance make it a focal point of international attention and diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the long-standing conflict. |
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Efforts to find a peaceful and mutually acceptable solution to the Western Sahara dispute continue, with various international actors and organizations involved in mediation and negotiation processes. The outcome of these efforts will have a profound impact on the future of the Southern Provinces and the people living in this historically significant region. |
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==History== |
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⚫ | The Southern Provinces were formerly a Spanish colony known as the [[Spanish Sahara]]. In the 1970s, [[Spain]] faced mounting pressure from [[Morocco]] to relinquish the territory, culminating in the [[Green March]], a large-scale demonstration organized by the [[Moroccans|Moroccan]] government on November 6, 1975. The Green March was orchestrated to compel Spain to transfer Western Sahara to Morocco. The [[Madrid Accords]], ratified just 12 days after the Green March, stipulated that Spain would exit the [[Spanish Sahara]] by February 28, 1976 at the latest. Subsequently, [[Morocco]] and [[Mauritania]] signed the [[Western Sahara partition agreement]] on April 14, 1976. This agreement led to Morocco assuming control over [[Saguia el-Hamra]] and the northern portion of [[Río de Oro]], while [[Mauritania]] took charge of the remaining part of [[Río de Oro]], renaming it as [[Tiris al-Gharbiyya]]. |
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⚫ | A locally based [[Sahrawi people|Sahrawi]] national [[Polisario Front|Separatist Movement]], known as the [[Polisario Front]], initiated a [[guerrilla warfare|guerrilla war]] on February 27, 1976, with significant financial and logistical support from [[Algeria]] and [[Great Socialist People's Arab Jamahiriya|Libya]]. Their goal was to achieve independence for the territory under the banner of the "[[Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic]]" (SADR). Following clashes with Polisario forces (SPLA) and strained relations with Algeria, Mauritania withdrew in 1979, relinquishing its claim on Western Sahara to avoid further complications with the [[Sahrawi people|Sahrawi]] Republic, Algeria, and Morocco. Capitalizing on the opportunity, Morocco extended control over the remaining part of [[Río de Oro]], which had previously been recognized as Mauritanian. |
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⚫ | Since a [[United Nations]]-brokered ceasefire agreement in 1991, approximately two-thirds of the territory has been administered by Morocco, encompassing most of the coastline. This area is separated from the eastern third controlled by the Polisario Front by [[Moroccan Western Sahara Wall|The Berm]], referred to by the Polisario Front as the [[Free Zone (region)|Free Zone]]. |
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The ceasefire line corresponds to the route of the Berm, with both sides asserting sovereignty over the entire territory of Western Sahara.The independence of the SADR has been recognized at various points by some 80 countries, although, beginning in the mid-1990s, a number of them withdrew or suspended their recognition. Although the [[Arab League]] and countries like the [[United States]], [[Israel]] recognized Moroccan territorial integrity,<ref>The arab countries recognize the Western Sahara as part of Morocco: https://www.atalayar.com/en/articulo/politics/arab-countries-show-their-support-moroccos-territorial-integrity-un/20211025133632153460.html</ref> |
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<ref>Recognition of the Moroccan Sovereignity over Western Sahara from the United States of America: https://ma.usembassy.gov/proclamation-on-recognizing-the-sovereignty-of-the-kingdom-of-morocco-over-the-western-sahara/</ref> |
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<ref>Israel recognizes the Western Sahara as part of Morocco: https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20230717-morocco-says-israel-recognises-its-sovereignty-over-disputed-western-sahara</ref> albeit with significant reservations from Algeria (Responsible for a leading diplomatic supporter of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, the state proclaimed by Polisario in 1976.)<ref>Tensions between Morocco and Algeria: https://ecfr.eu/publication/north-african-standoff-how-the-western-sahara-conflict-is-fuelling-new-tensions-between-morocco-and-algeria/</ref> and Syria.<ref>Why Syria and Iran don't recognize the Moroccan Sovereignty over Western Sahara: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/diplomatic-relations-between-morocco-and-iran-sour-over-western-sahara-dispute/</ref> |
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==Overview== |
==Overview== |
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[[File:Map of Morocco and Western Sahara-fr.svg|thumb|270px|The three regions of Morocco |
[[File:Map of Morocco and Western Sahara-fr.svg|thumb|270px|The three regions of Morocco. These regions were further divided into ten provinces.]] |
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The Moroccan government exercises control over approximately two-thirds of Western Sahara (the portion west of the [[Moroccan Western Sahara Wall|Berm]]), while the remaining part constitutes the Polisario Front-controlled [[Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic]]. |
The Moroccan government exercises control over approximately two-thirds of Western Sahara (the portion west of the [[Moroccan Western Sahara Wall|Berm]]), while the remaining part constitutes the Polisario Front-controlled [[Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic]]. |
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The government implements various economic and social development initiatives, incorporating the Southern Provinces into the national budget for government funding, national sports competitions, educational programs, and national parliamentary elections. The total population of the southern provinces is around 576,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://population.un.org/wpp/|title=World Population Prospects 2019|author=United Nations|website=population.un.org|access-date=October 13, 2022}}</ref> Coastal areas are utilized for fishing, and land areas are exploited for phosphate mining by both government and private entities. |
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[[File:Laayoune from above.jpg|300px|centre|thumb|A photo of the city of [[Laayoune]] taken from above]] |
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In terms of administration, Morocco divided its controlled territory into administrative units (''wilayas''). Flags and coats of arms were established for the three wilayas of [[Boujdour Province|Boujdour]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://areciboweb.50megs.com/fotw/flags/ma-bod.html |title=Boujdour province, Morocco |access-date=March 20, 2007 |work=crwflags.com }}</ref> [[Es Semara Province|Smara]], and [[Laâyoune Province|Laayoune]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://areciboweb.50megs.com/fotw/flags/ma-laa.html |title=Laayoune province, Morocco |access-date=March 20, 2007 |work=crwflags.com }}</ref> In 1983, further changes occurred, resulting in the establishment of four wilayas, with the addition of [[Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab|Dakhla]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://areciboweb.50megs.com/fotw/flags/ma-xdk.html |title=Dakhla (Oued Eddahab-Lagouira) Province, Morocco |access-date=March 20, 2007 |work=crwflags.com }}</ref> In 1990, [[Oued Ed-Dahab Province|Wadi al-Dhahab]] ([[Río de Oro]]) was also incorporated. |
In terms of administration, Morocco divided its controlled territory into administrative units (''wilayas''). Flags and coats of arms were established for the three wilayas of [[Boujdour Province|Boujdour]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://areciboweb.50megs.com/fotw/flags/ma-bod.html |title=Boujdour province, Morocco |access-date=March 20, 2007 |work=crwflags.com }}</ref> [[Es Semara Province|Smara]], and [[Laâyoune Province|Laayoune]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://areciboweb.50megs.com/fotw/flags/ma-laa.html |title=Laayoune province, Morocco |access-date=March 20, 2007 |work=crwflags.com }}</ref> In 1983, further changes occurred, resulting in the establishment of four wilayas, with the addition of [[Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab|Dakhla]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://areciboweb.50megs.com/fotw/flags/ma-xdk.html |title=Dakhla (Oued Eddahab-Lagouira) Province, Morocco |access-date=March 20, 2007 |work=crwflags.com }}</ref> In 1990, [[Oued Ed-Dahab Province|Wadi al-Dhahab]] ([[Río de Oro]]) was also incorporated. |
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As of 2022, the Southern Provinces are organized into three regions: [[Guelmim-Oued Noun]] in the north, [[Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra]] in the center, and [[Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab]] in the south. These regions are further subdivided into ten provinces. The regions of [[Guelmim-Oued Noun]] and [[Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra]] encompass parts of the Western Saharan territory as well as undisputed Moroccan territory to the north. |
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{{Main|Green March}} |
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On October 16, 1975, the International Court of Justice in the Hague released an advisory ruling which stated that the people of the Spanish Sahara should have the right to exercise self-rule, despite Morocco and Mauritania’s opposition. In response to the announcement, that night King Hassan II of Morocco announced to the entire nation over radio that he would organize and lead a Green March in order to reclaim the Spanish Sahara. |
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Quietly, King Hassan deployed troops on October 31 in order to fend off any external interference from other African countries, while much more publicly in the south volunteers continued to gather in the city of [[Tarfaya]] for the Green March. On November 6, King Hassan gave the signal for the march to begin and initiated the [[Green March]], and saw the participation of 350,000 Moroccans from all walks of life, who marched into the Spanish Sahara to free the territory from the Spanish rule. [[Western Sahara Autonomy Proposal|Autonomy Programs]] that encouraged numerous Moroccans to relocate to the Moroccan-administered portion of Western Sahara accounting for 80% of the territory. |
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[[File:The green march.jpg|300px|center]] |
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{{Main|Moroccan settlers}} |
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Following the 1975 [[Green March]], the Moroccan state initiated [[Moroccan settlers|settlement programs]] that encouraged numerous Moroccans to relocate to the Moroccan-administered portion of Western Sahara (accounting for 80% of the territory). By 2015, it was estimated that Moroccan settlers constituted at least two-thirds of the [[Demographics of Western Sahara|500,000 inhabitants]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/06/morocco-western-sahara-referendum-delay|title=Western Sahara's stranded refugees consider renewal of Morocco conflict|date=January 6, 2015|website=the Guardian}}</ref> In addition to offering a [[right of return]] for the [[Sahrawi refugees]], the Sahrawi [[government in exile]] expressed a willingness to grant [[Sahrawi nationality law#Status of Moroccan settlers|Sahrawi citizenship to Moroccan settlers and their descendants]] in a prospective independent state.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iss.co.za/dynamic/administration/file_manager/file_links/OP155.PDF?link_id=21&slink_id=5215&link_type=12&slink_type=23&tmpl_id=3|title=South African Institute for Security Studies|access-date=February 11, 2017|archive-date=July 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726103651/http://www.iss.co.za/dynamic/administration/file_manager/file_links/OP155.PDF?link_id=21&slink_id=5215&link_type=12&slink_type=23&tmpl_id=3|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://geo.international.gc.ca/world/site/includes/print.asp?lang=fr&print=1&url=%2Fcanada_un%2Fottawa%2Fcanada_un%2Funupdate-fr.asp&id=9376 Canadian Government Website report on SADR offer of citizenship to Moroccan settlers]{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Portal |
{{Portal|Morocco}} |
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{{reflist|30em}} |
{{reflist|30em}} |
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{{Regions of Morocco}} |
{{Regions of Morocco}} |
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{{Western Sahara topics|state=collapsed}} |
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[[Category:Former regions of Morocco]] |
[[Category:Former regions of Morocco]] |
Revision as of 13:03, 2 September 2023
The Southern Provinces (Arabic: الأقاليم الجنوبية, romanized: Al-Aqalim al-Janubiyah, French: Provinces du Sud) or Moroccan Sahara (Arabic: الصحراء المغربية, romanized: Assahra al-Maghribiya, French: Sahara marocain) The southern provinces of Morocco are a region located in the southernmost part of the country. The southern provinces of Morocco, include the following territories:
This vast territory encompasses Western Sahara, a historically contentious and disputed region which was previously known as Spanish Sahara before becoming a focal point of international dispute and regional conflict.[1]
The Southern Provinces have a diverse landscape, featuring a mix of arid desert expanses, coastal areas along the Atlantic Ocean, and mountainous terrain. The region's geographical diversity has contributed to its unique cultural heritage and economic activities.
The administration and development of the Southern Provinces are overseen by the "Agence du Sud" a public institution tasked with promoting economic growth and social development in the region. This agency plays a crucial role in addressing the specific needs and challenges faced by the local population.[2]
One of the most significant aspects of the Southern Provinces is the ongoing dispute over the status of Western Sahara. The region has been a subject of contention between Morocco, which claims sovereignty over it, and the Polisario Front, a separatist movement seeking separation between Morocco and the Sahrawi People. This dispute has had far-reaching political, diplomatic, and humanitarian implications over the years.[3]
The Southern Provinces cover an expansive territory, spanning across three of Morocco's top-level administrative regions. The region's strategic location, natural resources, and historical significance make it a focal point of international attention and diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the long-standing conflict.
Efforts to find a peaceful and mutually acceptable solution to the Western Sahara dispute continue, with various international actors and organizations involved in mediation and negotiation processes. The outcome of these efforts will have a profound impact on the future of the Southern Provinces and the people living in this historically significant region.
History
The Southern Provinces were formerly a Spanish colony known as the Spanish Sahara. In the 1970s, Spain faced mounting pressure from Morocco to relinquish the territory, culminating in the Green March, a large-scale demonstration organized by the Moroccan government on November 6, 1975. The Green March was orchestrated to compel Spain to transfer Western Sahara to Morocco. The Madrid Accords, ratified just 12 days after the Green March, stipulated that Spain would exit the Spanish Sahara by February 28, 1976 at the latest. Subsequently, Morocco and Mauritania signed the Western Sahara partition agreement on April 14, 1976. This agreement led to Morocco assuming control over Saguia el-Hamra and the northern portion of Río de Oro, while Mauritania took charge of the remaining part of Río de Oro, renaming it as Tiris al-Gharbiyya.
A locally based Sahrawi national Separatist Movement, known as the Polisario Front, initiated a guerrilla war on February 27, 1976, with significant financial and logistical support from Algeria and Libya. Their goal was to achieve independence for the territory under the banner of the "Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic" (SADR). Following clashes with Polisario forces (SPLA) and strained relations with Algeria, Mauritania withdrew in 1979, relinquishing its claim on Western Sahara to avoid further complications with the Sahrawi Republic, Algeria, and Morocco. Capitalizing on the opportunity, Morocco extended control over the remaining part of Río de Oro, which had previously been recognized as Mauritanian.
Since a United Nations-brokered ceasefire agreement in 1991, approximately two-thirds of the territory has been administered by Morocco, encompassing most of the coastline. This area is separated from the eastern third controlled by the Polisario Front by The Berm, referred to by the Polisario Front as the Free Zone.
The ceasefire line corresponds to the route of the Berm, with both sides asserting sovereignty over the entire territory of Western Sahara.The independence of the SADR has been recognized at various points by some 80 countries, although, beginning in the mid-1990s, a number of them withdrew or suspended their recognition. Although the Arab League and countries like the United States, Israel recognized Moroccan territorial integrity,[4] [5] [6] albeit with significant reservations from Algeria (Responsible for a leading diplomatic supporter of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, the state proclaimed by Polisario in 1976.)[7] and Syria.[8]
Overview
The Moroccan government exercises control over approximately two-thirds of Western Sahara (the portion west of the Berm), while the remaining part constitutes the Polisario Front-controlled Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
The government implements various economic and social development initiatives, incorporating the Southern Provinces into the national budget for government funding, national sports competitions, educational programs, and national parliamentary elections. The total population of the southern provinces is around 576,000.[9] Coastal areas are utilized for fishing, and land areas are exploited for phosphate mining by both government and private entities.
In terms of administration, Morocco divided its controlled territory into administrative units (wilayas). Flags and coats of arms were established for the three wilayas of Boujdour,[10] Smara, and Laayoune.[11] In 1983, further changes occurred, resulting in the establishment of four wilayas, with the addition of Dakhla.[12] In 1990, Wadi al-Dhahab (Río de Oro) was also incorporated.
Morocco has designated a dedicated satellite TV channel for the Southern Provinces of Morocco, known as Laayoun TV.[13]
The Moroccan Reclaim
On October 16, 1975, the International Court of Justice in the Hague released an advisory ruling which stated that the people of the Spanish Sahara should have the right to exercise self-rule, despite Morocco and Mauritania’s opposition. In response to the announcement, that night King Hassan II of Morocco announced to the entire nation over radio that he would organize and lead a Green March in order to reclaim the Spanish Sahara.
Quietly, King Hassan deployed troops on October 31 in order to fend off any external interference from other African countries, while much more publicly in the south volunteers continued to gather in the city of Tarfaya for the Green March. On November 6, King Hassan gave the signal for the march to begin and initiated the Green March, and saw the participation of 350,000 Moroccans from all walks of life, who marched into the Spanish Sahara to free the territory from the Spanish rule. Autonomy Programs that encouraged numerous Moroccans to relocate to the Moroccan-administered portion of Western Sahara accounting for 80% of the territory.
References
- ^ See also: Disputed Western Sahara timeline: https://culturesofresistancefilms.com/ws-timeline/
- ^ http://www.lagencedusud.gov.ma/
- ^ https://www.dw.com/en/moroccos-territorial-claims-on-western-sahara-a-new-conflict-brewing/a-66288761
- ^ The arab countries recognize the Western Sahara as part of Morocco: https://www.atalayar.com/en/articulo/politics/arab-countries-show-their-support-moroccos-territorial-integrity-un/20211025133632153460.html
- ^ Recognition of the Moroccan Sovereignity over Western Sahara from the United States of America: https://ma.usembassy.gov/proclamation-on-recognizing-the-sovereignty-of-the-kingdom-of-morocco-over-the-western-sahara/
- ^ Israel recognizes the Western Sahara as part of Morocco: https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20230717-morocco-says-israel-recognises-its-sovereignty-over-disputed-western-sahara
- ^ Tensions between Morocco and Algeria: https://ecfr.eu/publication/north-african-standoff-how-the-western-sahara-conflict-is-fuelling-new-tensions-between-morocco-and-algeria/
- ^ Why Syria and Iran don't recognize the Moroccan Sovereignty over Western Sahara: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/diplomatic-relations-between-morocco-and-iran-sour-over-western-sahara-dispute/
- ^ United Nations. "World Population Prospects 2019". population.un.org. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ^ "Boujdour province, Morocco". crwflags.com. Retrieved March 20, 2007.
- ^ "Laayoune province, Morocco". crwflags.com. Retrieved March 20, 2007.
- ^ "Dakhla (Oued Eddahab-Lagouira) Province, Morocco". crwflags.com. Retrieved March 20, 2007.
- ^ Info about Laayoun Tv: https://www.haca.ma/fr/la%C3%A2youne-tv