Key Terms for Topic A: A Question of Western Sahara



Hi everyone, 

Below is a list of key terms and some helpful explanations for our first topic: A Question of Western Sahara:  


Green March: a movement of over 350,000 citizens into its Southern Provinces despite militarized rebellions against SADR demonstrators

“Greater Morocco” concept: An anti-decolonization movement that sees Morocco expanding its territory to encompass not only Western Sahara but also regions of Algeria and Mauritania

Sand War: Where the Morocoocan aristocracy fought for borders that would sufficiently represent what territory falls under their jurisdiction. Specifically, it was a border conflict that disputed land near the eastern border of Morocco with Alergia. 

Self-determination: the right of indigenous peoples to hold claim over land and form a governing body

non-self-governing territory: an area of land claimed by a government that does not have complete control over the territory it claims 

Buffer zone: an expanse of demilitarized territory that lies between two warring entities 

Nationalism: a belief in one’s own nation and its interests 

Polisario Front: The leading movement of Sahrawi rebels that fight for their right to self-determination in Western Sahara 

Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR): The official government of Polisario-controlled land in Western Sahara, operated remotely by leadership in Algeria 

Moroccan Berm: A 2,700-km sand wall that delineates Moroccan and SADR controlled territory; frequently patrolled by Moroccan forces    

Southern Provinces: The Moroccan-held portion of Western Sahara, occupying about ⅔ of the original colony’s territory

WESTERN SAHARA' | Sahara Overland
Map of the territory in dispute

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