Algerian National Journalists’ Council Condemns Arab Journalists’ Federation’s Endorsement of the So-called ‘Moroccan Autonomy Plan’

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | January 15th, 2025 — The Algerian National Journalists’ Council (ANJC) has issued a strongly worded denunciation of the Arab Journalists’ Federation’s recent statement, made during its meeting in Dubai, in which it declared support for Morocco’s so-called “autonomy plan” under its claimed sovereignty over Western Sahara. The ANJC described this stance as a dangerous deviation from the fundamental principles of international law and a direct violation of UN resolutions affirming Western Sahara as a decolonization issue.

In a forceful statement, the ANJC reaffirmed that Western Sahara is not a mere territorial dispute but a matter of justice, self-determination, and human rights, emphasizing the Sahrawi people’s inalienable right to determine their political future. The council cited key international legal instruments, including UN General Assembly Resolutions 1514 and 1541, as well as the 1975 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which unequivocally concluded that no legal ties exist between Western Sahara and Morocco that would affect the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.

The ANJC called on the Arab Journalists’ Federation to uphold the core principles of neutrality and independence, stressing that journalism must remain free from political manipulations that undermine professional integrity and the unity of the Arab world. “By aligning with political agendas that blatantly defy international law, the Federation risks damaging the credibility of the journalistic profession while deepening divisions within the region,” the statement warned.

Moreover, the ANJC underscored that the Western Sahara issue represents a critical test for the credibility of the international legal order based on the defense of human rights. It urged global bodies, including the United Nations, the International Federation of Journalists, and Reporters Without Borders, to take a firm stance against narratives that violate fundamental principles of justice and the rights of peoples to self-determination.

Reaffirming its unwavering solidarity with the Sahrawi people, the ANJC called on journalists worldwide to support this just cause, highlighting that history has proven that oppressed nations can achieve their freedom despite external pressures. The council stressed that the struggle of the Sahrawi people is not merely a regional conflict but a humanitarian cause demanding urgent international intervention to implement UN resolutions and ensure a transparent and democratic referendum allowing the Sahrawi people to determine their future.

The ANJC concluded with a powerful reminder: “Justice cannot be compromised for political convenience. The Sahrawi people’s right to freedom and self-determination is not negotiable.”

Western Sahara: A Case of International Justice
We, at the Algerian National Journalists’ Council, reaffirm that the Western Sahara issue is not merely a regional dispute but a matter of justice, equality, and the fundamental right of peoples to self-determination.
We emphasize the importance of relevant UN resolutions, including Resolutions 1514 and 1541, as well as the 1975 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which concluded that there is no legal link between Western Sahara and Morocco that could undermine the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.

A Call for Neutrality and Independence
We call on the Arab Journalists’ Union to respect the principles of neutrality and independence when addressing national and international matters. The council urges the union to avoid engaging in politically motivated stances that serve particular agendas, as such actions compromise journalistic credibility and harm Arab unity and cohesion.
Any attempt to endorse initiatives contradicting international law, such as the so-called “autonomy plan,” can only deepen divisions and obstruct just solutions.

A Message to the International Community
The Algerian National Journalists’ Council emphasizes that the Western Sahara issue represents a test of the credibility of the international system, which claims to be based on respect for human rights. Any neglect of the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination constitutes a dangerous precedent that could affect similar cases worldwide.
We call on all international bodies, including the United Nations, the International Federation of Journalists, and Reporters Without Borders, to take a firm stance against any positions that undermine the rights of peoples and violate international law.

Unwavering Solidarity with the Sahrawi People
We reaffirm our absolute solidarity with the Sahrawi people and their legitimate struggle for freedom and independence. We also call on journalists worldwide to support this just cause and emphasize that history has proven that peoples can achieve their independence despite pressure and challenges.

The Western Sahara issue is not merely a regional matter but a humanitarian cause concerning the fate of a people striving for justice and freedom in their homeland.
We urge the international community to take immediate action to ensure the implementation of UN resolutions and organize a free and fair referendum that allows the Sahrawi people to exercise their legitimate right to self-determination.

The Algerian National Journalists’ Council

Western Sahara: A Case of Unresolved Decolonization and Persistent Violations of International Law

The Western Sahara conflict remains a profound case of unfinished decolonization, as enshrined in United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1514, which mandates the swift and unconditional end of colonial rule and affirms the inalienable right of all peoples to self-determination. Classified by the UN as a non-self-governing territory since 1963, Western Sahara falls under the Fourth Committee’s mandate, emphasizing the necessity for the territory’s decolonization and the Sahrawi people’s right to determine their political future. The international community, including the UN, African Union (AU), and European Union (EU), has long supported the organization of a referendum to resolve the issue, recognizing Western Sahara as Africa’s last colony. However, Morocco’s persistent defiance of international law has obstructed progress toward this democratic process.

The historical roots of the conflict trace back to Spain’s withdrawal in 1975, when the colonial power unlawfully transferred administrative control of the territory to Morocco and Mauritania under the Madrid Accords—an agreement never recognized by the UN. The Polisario Front, the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people, opposed this illegitimate handover and resisted both Spanish and Moroccan occupation. Mauritania eventually retreated from its portion of Western Sahara in 1979, leaving Morocco as the sole occupying force. Despite the 1991 ceasefire brokered by the UN and AU, aimed at facilitating a referendum through the establishment of MINURSO (the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara), Morocco’s obstruction and continued occupation have systematically delayed the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.

Morocco’s occupation has been marked by persistent human rights abuses against the Sahrawi people and a blatant disregard for international law. The fragile ceasefire was shattered on November 13, 2020, when Moroccan forces launched an assault on unarmed Sahrawi demonstrators in the El Guerguerat buffer zone. This provocation forced the Polisario Front to resume armed resistance, citing Morocco’s violation of the 1991 agreement and its continued refusal to honor the Sahrawi people’s legitimate rights.

The so-called “Moroccan Autonomy Plan,” proposed as a substitute for genuine self-determination, is categorically rejected by the Sahrawi people and international legal frameworks. It fails to meet the principles of decolonization and violates the UN Charter, which guarantees the right of all peoples to freely decide their political status. France’s recent backing of this plan, along with Spain’s failure to uphold its legal responsibilities as the historical administering power, further complicates the path toward a just and lasting resolution. The international community must confront these violations and renew efforts to ensure the Sahrawi people exercise their fundamental right to self-determination, as justice delayed in Western Sahara continues to erode the very principles of international law.

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