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Western Sahara
Western Sahara, a Territory on the north-west coast of Africa bordered by Morocco, Mauritania and Algeria, was administered by Spain until 1976. Both Morocco and Mauritania affirmed their claim to the territory, a claim opposed by the Frente Popular para la Liberación de Saguia el-Hamra y de Río de Oro (Frente POLISARIO).
The United Nations has been seeking a settlement in Western Sahara since the withdrawal of Spain in 1976 and the ensuing fighting between Morocco, which had "reintegrated" the Territory, and the Frente POLISARIO, supported by Algeria. (Mauritania renounced all claims to Western Sahara in 1979.) In 1979, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) also became active in seeking a peaceful solution of the conflict.
Canada has always remained neutral on the Western Sahara issue. It supports the efforts made by the UN to achieve a peaceful settlement of the conflict, through the Peace Plan or any other political solution accepted by the parties. Canada recognizes neither the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) nor the POLISARIO Front, nor Moroccan sovereignty over the territory. Canada is not currently participating in the Western Sahara peacekeeping force (MINURSO), as it has done in the past, but supports its presence.
Canada calls on both parties to release all prisoners of war. In view of the precarious food situation confronting the Saharan refugees in Tindouf, Canada in spring 2001 unblocked exceptional aid of 379 tons of canola oil ($512,000). CIDA has to date spent over $3 million to help Western Sahara. Canada also contributed through international organizations, specifically the World Food Program and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
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