جمعية المهندسين الصحراوية من أجل التنمية
Association
of Saharawi Engineers for
Development (ASED)
HITORICAL LANDMARKS
Western Sahara conflict – Chronology
Spanish Colonisation
1884
At the Berlin Conference the European powers divide up the African continent. Spain commences its colonization of the Western Sahara.
1912
Frontiers of the Western Sahara confirmed by France and Spain.
1920
Sahrawi resistance against French army.
1920-1932
Battles between Sahrawi resistance and french troops in Mauritania.
1934
Spain took full possession of the territory.
1947
Phosphates discovered in the desert by a Spanish geologist.
Deteriorating colonization
1956–58
Battles between Sahrawi resistance and Spanish troops supported by french troops(ecouvillon)
1956
Morocco independent.
1958
Military Treaty between Spain and France (with approval of the Moroccan regime):
Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro, under authority of Spain, Tarafaya to Morocco.
1960
Mauritania independent.
1960
UN Declaration 1514 (XV) (Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples).
1962
Algeria independent.
1963
Western Sahara included in the UN list of countries to be decolonized (declaration 1966 calling for self-determination to be exercised through referendum).
Preparations for a Spanish withdrawal
1967–73
Formation of new Sahrawi resistance.
1973
Polisario Front founded.
1973
Certain efforts from Spanish side to increase participation of the local Djemaa in the territory’s administration.
1973
Spain begins to export phosphates.
Spanish withdrawal
1974
(July) Algeria’s first support to Polisario.
1974
(August) Morocco announces that it does not accept a referendum where independence is included as an option.
1975
(May) UN fact finding mission visits Western Sahara.
1975
(October) International Court of Justice advisory decision: WS has right to self-determination and referendum (UN/GA).
1975
(6 November) Moroccan Green March.
1975
(14 November) the Madrid Agreement, Spain cedes the Western Sahara to Morocco and Mauritania.
1975
(November) Moroccan and Mauritanian troops invade the Western Sahara.
1976
(26 February) Spain officially cedes the Western Sahara.
1976
(27 February) The Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) is proclaimed by Polisario.
1976–77
Guerrilla war on two fronts.
Refugee camps at Tindouf (in Algeria).
1978
Coup in Mauritania followed by cease fire between Mauritania and Polisario.
The war between Morocco and Polisario continues.
1979
The Algiers agreement: Mauritania withdraws its claim on Western Sahara and recognizes the right of Western Sahara to self-determination.
1981–97
Moroccan fortified defence wall.
1984
SADR becomes a member of the OAU, Morocco abandons the organization.
UN/OAU Peace Plan, preparations for a referendum
1988
The UN/OAU proposal for a ceasefire to be followed by a referendum on self-determination accepted by Morocco and Polisario.
The Spanish census of the population in the territory in 1974 will be the foundation of the referendum to be prepared.
1989
Polisario meets King Hassan II of Morocco.
1991
The UN Mission MINURSO is established (UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara). MINURSO will oversee the implementation of the peace plan. The ceasefire begins.
1992
The referendum delayed (first time).
1995
The identification process ceases because Morocco and Polisario have totally different approaches to further identification.
1997
James Baker, former US Minister of Foreign Affairs, is appointed as UN Secretary General’s personal envoy.
1997 The Houston Accords on the modalities of a referendum are signed by Morocco and Polisario.
1998
Referendum suspended again.
1999
The process of voter identification continues. King Hassan II dies.
1999
Violent repression of a sit-in for social demands in El Aaiun (September 22).
2000
A provisional list of 86,000 voters is published. Morocco presents another 130,000 appeals, which throws the process into further crisis.
2001
James Baker presents Framework Agreement (Baker I). A period of autonomy prior to the referendum, all settlers in the territory entitled to vote. The Framework Agreement was rejected
by Polisario, Morocco and the UN/SC.
2001
Morocco issues reconnaissance licences to the two oil companies, Total and Kerr McGee.
2003
Second version of the Framework Agreement (Baker II). A modified version of the former Framework Agreement from 2001 which gives the Western Saharians more influence during the period of autonomy which is stipulated as 5–6 years followed by a referendum. The Framework Agreement is accepted by Polisario as a basis for negotiations but rejected by Morocco. Morocco does not accept independence as an option.
2004
Refusal of Mohamed VI, who denies any idea of referendum.
Resignation of James Baker (in June).
2005
Demonstrations and riots "Intifada for independence" were held in
several cities in Western Sahara.
2005 The Dutch Ambassador Peter Van Walsum replaces James Baker as the Secretary Generals personal envoy for the Western Sahara.
2006
Established by Mohamed VI of the Royal Consultative Council for Saharawi
Affairs in the occupied areas THE (CORCAS)
2007
Despite differences (self / self-determination referendum), beginning a
new round of negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario (June).
2009
Christopher Ross The US EX Ambassador replaces Peter Van Walsum as the Secretary General’s personal envoy for the Western Sahara.