| Western Sahara (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic - often called SADR) - Claims independence, but Morocco also claims full sovereignty, and continues to control most of this region, since Spain ceded this former colony in 1976. Morocco's interest is mostly for the rich natural resources in Western Sahara, which has a comparatively small indigenous population (400,000), and which had no contact with Moroccans until the 70's. Currently, 49 nations recognise the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, with embassies in 13 of those nations, but it's government operates in exile from Algeria (many SADR Refugees are in Algerian camps), and it only really controls about 20% of the territory which it claims. with it's military wing, the Polisario Front, providing security. SADR calls these lands the 'Free Zone', but Morocco describes this as a buffer zone, and has built a fortified wall to keep people in both of these areas separated. Morocco controls the remainder of Western Sahara (as it's Southern Provinces), and SADR considers these lands as being occupied by a foreign force. |
