On Friday, the European Court of Justice ruled that the European Commission violated the right to self-determination for the people of Western Sahara.
The court found that trade agreements with Morocco, which included products from the disputed territory, were invalid without proper consent from its people.
Western Sahara, a region the size of Britain, has been embroiled in conflict since Spain’s withdrawal in 1975 and Morocco’s subsequent annexation.
This ruling concludes a series of appeals by the European Commission, following the signing of fishing and agricultural deals in 2019.
The court emphasized that valid agreements require consent from the Sahrawi people, not just residents of the territory.
It also mandated that melons and tomatoes from Western Sahara must be labeled accordingly, excluding any mention of Morocco to avoid consumer confusion.
The Commission is currently reviewing the judgment, while Morocco’s foreign ministry has not yet responded.
Oubi Bouchraya, the Polisario Front’s representative, hailed the ruling as a historic victory for the Sahrawi people.
He urged the EU to either negotiate or withdraw from its dealings with Morocco, reaffirming the Polisario’s role as the legitimate representative of Western Sahara.
