The Politicization of Self-Determination: A Study of the Western Saharan Question and International Responses

Abstract

Western Sahara or Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) is the only country under colonialism in Africa. Worrisomely, failure to achieve decolonisation of the country can be linked to the activities of her North Africa neighbour, Morocco, backed by some western governments. Although, the international community, regional, sub-regional and global organisations, particularly the United Nations Organisation has intervened to liberate the SADR, much success has not been recorded. In the light of the aforementioned, this paper examines the Western Saharan Question and international responses, including Nigeria being a regional power vis a vis her erstwhile roles in the decolonisation of Africa - a feat which earned her the 'big brother ' and 'giant of status' on the continent. The paper concluded that the liberation of the colony has taken so long because of the interests of foeign powers, the declining powers and complicated principles of the Organisation of Africa Unity (OAU) now Africa Union (AU), the politicisation of self-determination by the western powers among other considerations. Recommendations were made based on ways to liberate Africa's last colony, Western Sahara.