Western Sahara: A Disputed Territory Claimed by Morocco and the Polisario Front

Western Sahara is a non-self-governing territory (UN designation) with competing claims:

• Morocco – Controls ~80% (west of the berm); considers it integral southern provinces.
• Polisario Front (SADR) – Sahrawi independence movement; controls “Free Zone” (east of berm); recognized by ~40 UN members and AU.

UN peacekeeping mission MINURSO monitors ceasefire (since 1991). No sovereignty referendum has been held. The status remains a frozen conflict.