August Tupper

Date of Award

2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Alcock, Frank

Keywords

Sahrawi People, Western Sahara, Morocco, Independence, Politics

Area of Concentration

International and Area Studies

Abstract

The Sahrawi people of Western Sahara have claimed independence since Spanish decolonization in 1975. The Kingdom of Morocco has occupied the Sahrawi homeland for 40 years. Numerous peace plans have failed to bring Morocco and the Polisario Front, the Sahrawi’s negotiating body, any closer to an agreement. Immediately before Spain left the Sahara the United Nations General Assembly requested an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice. The ruling asserted the Sahrawi people’s right to selfdetermination, and required the Spanish, Moroccans, and Mauritanians to guarantee an independence referendum. No such referendum has been held. This study examines the interests at play in the Maghreb and problematizes some propositions of interest-based international relations theories of state behavior. I question the impact of the advisory opinion and emphasize the importance the Grand Maghreb theory that ostensibly gives Morocco sovereignty over most of North Africa. Ultimately, the “omnibalancing” theory provides the best lens through which to interpret the conflict in Western Sahara. Omnibalancing remains grounded in utilitarian theories of international relations, but accepts the normative powers of international law, like the ICJ’s decision. International politics determines international law to a certain extent, but law has an unquantifiable impact on behavior as well. Western Sahara is a case study for the interplay of law and politics and how it relates to cases of self-determination.

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