Morocco celebrates 51st anniversary of Western Sahara takeover as UN mission ends

Morocco commemorated the 51st anniversary of the Green March, the 1975 mass mobilization that led to its takeover of most of Western Sahara, as the UN peacekeeping mission MINURSO winds down after its mandate expired. Hundreds of pro-Morocco Sahrawis gathered in Laayoune with diplomats from supportive countries. The UN mission was established in 1991 to monitor a ceasefire and organize a referendum, which never took place.

Morocco on Friday commemorated the 51st anniversary of the Green March, the 1975 mass mobilization into Spanish-controlled Western Sahara that paved the way for Morocco's takeover of most of the disputed territory. The anniversary came as the UN peacekeeping mission MINURSO winds down after its mandate expired on October 31. In Laayoune, hundreds of pro-Morocco Sahrawis gathered at a central square, with diplomats from Arab and African countries that support Morocco's position in attendance. The UN mission was established in 1991 to monitor a ceasefire and organize a referendum on the territory's future, but the referendum never took place and the ceasefire collapsed. Morocco has welcomed the end of the mandate and has increasing support from the United States and France for its proposal to give Western Sahara autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty. The Polisario Front, backed by Algeria and Russia, insists on a referendum on independence. The article quotes several pro-Morocco residents who express support for Moroccan rule and hope for family reunification, but includes no voices from the independence movement.