Former Polisario Co-Founder Challenges Self-Determination Claims in Sahara Dispute

Rabat — Bachir Edkhil, who helped establish the Polisario Front in 1973 before returning to Morocco in 1992, has raised fundamental questions about who holds the right to determine the future of Western Sahara.

During a recent Deutsche Welle interview, Edkhil directly challenged the separatist movement’s narrative.

“What is self-determination? And who should determine their fate?” he asked. “Does someone who opposed Morocco suddenly become a Sahrawi with the right to self-determination? I am originally Moroccan, born in Morocco, lived there, studied there, and my relatives served in the Moroccan military.”

The self-determination debate

Edkhil explained that the concept of self-determination stems from a 1960 resolution allowing populations under colonial control to express their opinion.

However, he argued that Polisario made critical errors by rejecting a 1981 proposal from the late King Hassan II. The King suggested that the population originally under Spanish colonial control should vote in a referendum.

“Polisario refused back then,” Edkhil said, noting what he sees as a fatal strategic mistake.

Who represents the Sahrawi people?

The former Polisario leader contested the movement’s claim to represent Sahrawis. He pointed to UN census data from 1998 showing that 71% of the Sahrawi population lives in cities like Laayoune, Smara, and Dakhla. These residents participate in Moroccan political parties and local governance.

“We must understand that 71% of the concerned Sahrawi population exists in these cities — the real ones who voted in Moroccan parties,” Edkhil stated. “Who are the parties? Does someone who arms themselves with a Kalashnikov and slogans become a party? They are not a party.”

The real parties involved in the conflict

UN Security Council Resolution 2797, adopted recently, identifies the parties to the conflict. Edkhil argues that the true parties are Algeria and Morocco, not Polisario.

“There are two parties today: Algeria and Morocco, not Polisario,” he asserted. “Polisario is just a small, single organization gathering people from Mauritania, Algeria, Morocco, and others.”

He questioned why this group should hold decision-making rights while the 71% of the population verified by the UN in the 1998 census had no voice. “Who expresses our opinion here? Does Polisario express our opinion?” he asked.

Democratic participation in the Sahara

Edkhil stressed that Sahrawis hold positions throughout Moroccan institutions. “All municipalities that exist today in the Sahara have original Sahrawis, all communities have original Sahrawis, and parliamentarians are original Sahrawis,” he noted.

He contrasted this with conditions in the Tindouf camps, challenging claims of free expression there. “Is expression free in the camps, Mohamed? Free expression – 20 parties emerged, 35 parties in Tindouf camps. Where is free expression?” he said sarcastically.

The path forward

With Resolution 2797 calling for a final resolution and acknowledging the dispute between Morocco and Algeria, Edkhil believes the autonomy plan offers the most practical solution. He argues that the political and demographic landscape has changed dramatically since the 1970s.

“The political map has changed, the human map has changed, and the situation has changed,” he explained. “We need to be realistic … Not whoever has weapons or speaks on foreign radio stations thinks they have credibility.”

Edkhil concluded that after 50 years of conflict, parties need to move toward realistic solutions rather than rehash old positions. He pointed out that people born in 1975 are now 50 years old, emphasizing that a continued stalemate serves no one’s interests.

“Today the most effective solution for self-determination is not a referendum — it is autonomy,” he said, reflecting a position that Morocco has advanced — a position that Resolution 2797 acknowledges as a basis for negotiations.