Arab Journalists Union: A Mouthpiece for Moroccan Occupation?

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | January 18th, 2025 — The Arab Journalists Union (AJU) has plunged headfirst into controversy, brazenly aligning itself with Morocco’s occupation of Western Sahara under the guise of supporting a so-called “autonomy plan.” In an astonishing display of bias and disregard for journalistic ethics, the AJU has exposed itself as little more than a propaganda tool for Rabat, abandoning its duty to truth, justice, and the principles of an independent press.

The AJU’s disgraceful endorsement of Morocco’s claims during its recent meeting in Dubai has drawn fierce condemnation. The Union of Sahrawi Journalists and Writers minced no words in its scathing rebuke, accusing the AJU of becoming complicit in a calculated campaign of misinformation. The Sahrawi union declared that the AJU’s actions represent a direct betrayal of the very essence of journalism, which demands neutrality and a steadfast commitment to expose injustices, not enable them.

“This is not just a lapse in judgment—it’s a shameful capitulation to political agendas,” read the statement from the Sahrawi union. “The Arab Journalists Union has chosen to lend its voice to the oppressor, silencing the cries of an oppressed people and trampling over the foundational principles of its own profession.”

Algerian Union Unleashes Fiery Criticism

In an equally scalding response, the National Union of Algerian Journalists (NUAJ) blasted the AJU for what it described as an “indefensible act of moral bankruptcy.” The NUAJ condemned the AJU’s decision to support Morocco’s so-called autonomy plan, asserting that such a stance blatantly violates international law and journalistic ethics.

“This is not journalism; this is complicity,” declared the NUAJ. “By adopting Morocco’s narrative, the AJU has traded its integrity for the hollow promises of political expediency, effectively endorsing an illegal occupation while turning its back on the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.”

The Algerian union did not stop there, labeling the AJU’s stance as a direct affront to Arab solidarity and a disgraceful attempt to legitimize Morocco’s violations in Western Sahara. The NUAJ called on the AJU to immediately retract its endorsement and issue an apology to the Sahrawi people, warning that continued bias could irreparably damage the credibility of the Arab media.

A Union in Disgrace

The AJU’s actions have not only drawn ire from regional journalist unions but have also sparked global outrage. International media organizations, including the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), have joined the chorus of condemnation, accusing the AJU of undermining justice and serving as a megaphone for Moroccan propaganda. The IFJ characterized the AJU’s alignment with Rabat as a flagrant violation of the principles of independence and impartiality that are the bedrock of credible journalism.

“This is a dark day for Arab journalism,” stated one observer. “The AJU has effectively abdicated its responsibility, choosing instead to act as a public relations agency for an occupying force.”

Context: Algeria’s Unwavering Stance

Algeria, a staunch advocate for the Sahrawi cause, has consistently championed the rights of the Sahrawi people, recognizing the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and opposing Morocco’s illegal occupation of Western Sahara. The AJU’s position, which openly defies Algeria’s commitment to decolonization and the principles of international law, represents a provocative affront to Algerian values and its enduring support for oppressed peoples.

The Way Forward: A Call for Reform

The AJU’s shameful conduct underscores the urgent need for reform within regional media organizations to ensure their independence from political manipulation. Journalist unions across the Arab world must rally to hold the AJU accountable, demanding that it returns to its core mission of amplifying the voices of the voiceless and upholding the principles of justice.

Anything less than a complete reversal of its stance on Western Sahara will cement the AJU’s reputation as a compromised institution, unworthy of the name it bears. In choosing to stand with the occupier, the AJU has betrayed not only the Sahrawi people but also the values it was founded to protect. It is high time the Union remembered that journalism, at its core, is about speaking truth to power—not parroting the lines of those who seek to suppress it.

 

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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