The end of the ceasefire in Western Sahara

Abstract

In November 2020, the Polisario Front resumed its armed campaign against Morocco’s occupation of Western Sahara after a ceasefire that had lasted nearly 30 years. The group represents the Sahrawi people, many of whom fled the territory and now live in refugee camps located in western Algeria. Sahrawis had grown frustrated by a long, fruitless peace process led by the United Nations and it appears that they are broadly supportive of the Polisario Front’s new offensive. Indeed, the group has few options but to proceed with a military escalation while seeking further assistance from Algeria, which has long been its primary international supporter.