Originally broadcast 1/5/22

Most African nations fought for and won their liberation from colonial rule in the 1950s-70s. Western Sahara was an unfortunate exception. Spain, its former colonial occupier, abandoned the colony in 1975, and Morocco has since occupied around 80% of the territory.

Lindsay talks to Kamal Fadel, representative for Polisario, the national liberation movement of the Saharawi people. Kamal tells us of their ongoing fight for self-determination, the human rights abuses Morocco continues to perpetuate in the occupied territories, and how international business and certain key countries in the West have supported the occupation.

Check out local solidarity group AWSA - https://awsa.org.au/

For further reading on this topic:

The occupation of Western Sahara

Morocco drives a war in Western Sahara for its phosphates

Geopolitical Tensions on Europe’s Southwestern Flank Threaten to Exacerbate EU’s Natural Gas Shortages

Sunday Dispatch is recorded the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay respects to their elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded, this always was, and always will be Aboriginal land.

Graphic Design: Karina Aslikyan

Intro Theme: Sophie Gordon

Intro Music: Talk Talk – Ascension Day

Outro Music: Nayim Alal & Mahfud Aliyen - Viva el Polisario