Article
- +3
Frederic Wehrey, Nathan J. Brown, Bader Al-Saif, …
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"Anouar Boukhars"
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"Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
"Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center"
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"primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
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"North Africa",
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Source: Getty
In The Media
The Western Sahara Conflict
The conflict between Morocco and the Polisario has resulted in enormous human, economic, and political problems for the region.
Published on Aug 22, 2013
Source: FRIDE
The conflict between Morocco and the Polisario, a group fighting for independence, is one of the most complex and stubborn conflicts in recent times, said Anouar Boukhars in an interview with FRIDE. The standoff, which dates back to 1973, has resulted in human, economic, and political problems and in the last few years, the conflict has had a trans-Saharan security impact, he added.
Boukhars, who traveled to the Western Sahara in June, noted that given the security problems in the Sahel and Mali and the refugees based in Algeria, the situation poses a huge concern to the region. Both sides have struggled to make compromises and concessions to find a solution.
The solution to the conflict is complex, Boukhars warned. “I think there has to be, as the United Nations says, a consensual political solution,” he said, highlighting the plan put forth on the table by Morocco that gives widespread autonomy and is supported by the United States, France, and Spain.
About the Author
Anouar Boukhars
Former Nonresident Fellow, Middle East Program
Boukhars was a nonresident fellow in Carnegie’s Middle East Program. He is a professor of countering violent extremism and counter-terrorism at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, National Defense University.
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Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
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