The conflict originated from an insurgency by the Polisario Front against Spanish colonial forces from 1973 to 1975 and the subsequent Western Sahara War against Morocco between 1975 and 1991.
In this regard, why is Morocco divided? Morocco claims ownership of the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara, which it has designated its Southern Provinces. In 1975, after Spain agreed to decolonise the territory and cede its control to Morocco and Mauritania, a guerrilla war broke out between those powers and some of the local inhabitants.
Also the question is, why is there a dotted line between Morocco and Western Sahara? It is named “Western Sahara” and there is a dashed line in the north towards Morocco. This is due to the status as a “Non-Self-Governing Territory” the U.N has given it.
Amazingly, is Western Sahara occupied by Morocco? Western Sahara is a sparsely-populated area of mostly desert situated on the northwest coast of Africa. A former Spanish colony, it was annexed by Morocco in 1975. Since then it has been the subject of a long-running territorial dispute between Morocco and its indigenous Saharawi people, led by the Polisario Front.
Moreover, why is Morocco poor? Poverty in the country is associated with three factors. They are illiteracy, financial inequality, and economic volatility. All these elements contributed to the slow economic development of Morocco. It leaves almost nine million of its population on the poverty line.The country borders the Atlantic Ocean in the west, the Mediterranean Sea in the north; it shares maritime borders with Portugal and Spain. Morocco borders Algeria in the east and Western Sahara in the south.
What race is Moroccan?
Moroccans are primarily of Arab and Berber (Amazigh) origin, as in other neighbouring countries in Maghreb region. Today, Moroccans are considered a mix of Arab, Berber, and mixed Arab-Berbers, alongside other minority ethnic backgrounds from across the region.
Are Moroccans Arabs?
Most Moroccans are Sunni Muslims of Arab, Berber, or mixed Arab-Berber stock. The Arabs invaded Morocco in the 7th and 11th centuries and established their culture there. There is also a small population of Haratin, black Moroccans who are the descendants of ancestors from the Sahel region.
Why do Moroccans speak French?
The use of French is a colonial legacy of the French protectorate (1912–1956), and French no longer has any officially recognized status in Morocco. It is considered a prestige language in Morocco, and is often used for business, diplomacy, and government, serving as a lingua franca with non-Moroccans and non-Arabs.
Why is the land border between Morocco and Algeria closed?
Algeria closed its land border with Morocco back in 1994, after years of dispute and wars over the boundaries of the two countries’ territories. Trade does happen between the neighbors but via air or sea rather than land.
Why is Morocco not a member of OAU?
Morocco withdrew from the OAU in 1984 following the organization’s acceptance of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic as a member state. Morocco rules over most of the territory, but sovereignty is disputed.
What countries support Morocco?
Thus, countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Jordan have publicly announced their support for Morocco’s territorial integrity on the question of Western Sahara. They are followed by the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Kuwait and Oman, which have previously reiterated their full support for the Alawi kingdom.
Why is Sahara a Moroccan?
After an agreement among the European colonial powers at the Berlin Conference in 1884 on the division of spheres of influence in Africa, Spain seized control of Western Sahara and established it as a Spanish colony. After 1939 and the outbreak of World War II, this area was administered by Spanish Morocco.
Who colonized Morocco?
1912 – Morocco becomes a French protectorate under the Treaty of Fez, administered by a French Resident-General. Spain continues to operate its coastal protectorate.
Who owns the Sahara desert?
About 20% of the territory is controlled by the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, while the remaining 80% of the territory is occupied and administered by neighboring Morocco. Its surface area amounts to 266,000 square kilometres (103,000 sq mi).
Is Morocco the poorest country in the world?
Rabat – Morocco has been ranked among the world’s poorest countries in Global Finance Magazine’s index of the World’s Richest Countries. Based on data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Global Finance Magazine ranked Morocco 119th out of 174 in its list of the World’s Richest Countries.
Is Morocco a good place to live?
Morocco is rising quickly as a top tourist destination worldwide and an even better place to live abroad in. Its political stability and safety set it apart from many of its neighbours, and yet it still offers a more-than-reasonable cost of living.
Where are Berbers from?
Berber, self-name Amazigh, plural Imazighen, any of the descendants of the pre-Arab inhabitants of North Africa. The Berbers live in scattered communities across Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Mali, Niger, and Mauritania.
Why is Morocco Mar?
This is because of the large French influence in the country, whilst the official languages of the country are Arabic and Berber. The French word for Morocco is Maroc – and the abbreviation MAR is therefore used for sporting events and as the official country code.
What race were Berbers?
Berbers or Imazighen (Berber languages: ⵉⵎⴰⵣⵉⵖⵏ, ⵎⵣⵗⵏ, romanized: Imaziɣen; singular: Amaziɣ, ⴰⵎⴰⵣⵉⵖ ⵎⵣⵗ; Arabic: أمازيغ) are an ethnic group indigenous to North Africa, specifically Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, and to a lesser extent Mauritania, northern Mali, and northern Niger.