The Sahrawi refugee crisis, one of the world’s longest-lasting humanitarian emergencies, continues to this day, with no resolution in sight. Thousands of Sahrawi children grow up in refugee camps, deprived of fundamental rights such as access to quality education, stable living conditions, and a sense of security. While international aid has provided essential support, much more is needed to ensure these children have access to sustainable solutions that secure their future.
The beginnings of displacement
Western Sahara, once known as Spanish Sahara, was viewed by many as part of Morocco after Spain withdrew in 1975 as part of UN-led decolonization efforts. It was widely assumed that the territory would be handed over to Morocco. However, the indigenous Sahrawi people sought self-determination and independence instead (Larosch, 2007).
The International Court of Justice upheld the Sahrawi people’s right to independence, but Morocco’s King Hassan II defied the ruling by organizing the “Green March,” sending 350,000 Moroccans to settle in Western Sahara. The UN condemned this move, which followed the recent formation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, which has its official government in exile in Algeria (Larosch, 2007).
This led to a 16-year guerrilla war between the Sahrawis and Moroccan forces. Although a UN-brokered ceasefire in 1991 promised a referendum on independence, it has yet to take place, and multiple rounds of UN-sponsored talks have failed to resolve the ongoing dispute (BBC News, 2023).
Entrapped by conflict
To stop attacks from the Sahrawi army Morocco’s King ordered the construction of a vast defensive wall system. Built over seven years, the wall consists of sand and stone, standing two to three meters high and fortified with bunkers, trenches, barbed wire, mines, and electronic detection systems (Delgado, 2019).
Patrolled by over 100,000 Moroccan soldiers, the wall confines the Sahrawis to the east, cutting them off from valuable resources like phosphates and Africa’s richest fishing waters. This barrier, the world’s longest continuous minefield, is lined with landmine warning signs, putting children in constant danger as they grow up near these hazardous areas (Maclean, 2018).
As a result, the Sahrawi army was forced to establish refugee camps on the other side of the wall in Algeria. Over the years, they have developed their own constitution, police force, army, and legal systems. Today, around 155,000 Sahrawi refugees live in five main camps. While these camps were initially meant to be temporary, many families have now lived there for five decades (Fiddian-Qasmiyeh, 2010).
Life of Sahrawi children in refugee camps
Under Spanish rule, education in Western Sahara was limited, with over 95% of the population illiterate. However, since its inception, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) prioritized literacy campaigns. By 1986, a national education system was established with elementary schools, preschools, and two secondary schools (Farah, 2010).
From the 1980s onward, education became central to fostering national identity and self-reliance. Despite harsh camp conditions—poverty and limited resources—literacy rates rose to over 95%. Education has significantly empowered the Sahrawi people, serving as a catalyst for self-reliance and a profound sense of national identity (Farah, 2010).
Moreover, since its establishment in 2012, the University of Tifariti in the self-declared SADR has continued to provide education to graduates, even amidst a protracted military conflict. To date, hundreds of students have graduated, primarily in fields such as nursing and education. However, a significant number of Sahrawi students still choose to pursue higher education overseas (Nogueira, 2024).
Challenges faced by Sahrawi children in the camps
Despite these efforts, challenges such as harsh climatic conditions, inadequate infrastructure, and poor internet connectivity persist. While the university plays a vital role in building human resources for a potential independent state, many young Sahrawis face uncertain futures in the camps, with limited opportunities to develop their talents (Nogueira, 2024).
To exacerbate the situation, an estimated 54% of Sahrawi children are anemic, and 28% experience stunted growth—conditions that can cause irreversible damage to their development. Only one in three children receives the diverse diet necessary for healthy growth. These alarming statistics underscore the severe hardships faced by Sahrawi children in the camps, putting their futures and well-being at serious risk (UNICEF n.d.).
Violation of children’s rights as enshrined in the CRC
Despite Morocco’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1993, significant violations of children’s rights persist. These include the right to education (Article 28), as ongoing conflict and displacement severely hinder access to quality schooling. Additionally, the poor living conditions in the camps violate Article 27, undermining every child’s right to a standard of living that supports their physical, mental, moral, and social development.
Furthermore, the right to health and healthcare (Article 24) is threatened, with limited access to medical services jeopardizing the well-being of Sahrawi children. These violations highlight the urgent need for global intervention to protect their rights. The international community must take action to ensure that Morocco upholds its commitments and addresses these critical issues, safeguarding the future of Sahrawi youth.
The unresolved status of Western Sahara
The UN proposed a settlement plan to resolve the Western Sahara conflict, which included a transitional period leading to a referendum for the Sahrawi people to choose between independence and integration with Morocco. However, this referendum has been postponed since 1991, with no date in sight, leaving Western Sahara as the world’s second-longest-standing refugee crisis after Syria (United Nations, 2024).
An entire generation of Sahrawis has known nothing but life as refugees, growing up in the harsh environment of the Sahara desert. Families with children live in a remote, barren region with no plants or water, enduring scorching summers and freezing winters. Dependent on humanitarian aid, they face a daily struggle for survival (Oxfam International, n.d.).
For the past 50 years, the refugees have depended significantly on support from various NGOs to sustain their basic needs. Despite this support, food security remains a critical issue. A 2008 report found that malnutrition affects 61% of children, with daily caloric intake often falling far below the recommended levels (Martin Gomez, 2017).
Progress and future solutions
In light of the significant hardships they face, ongoing efforts aim to improve the living conditions of Sahrawi refugees. International humanitarian aid focuses on providing essentials such as food, water, and medicine. Various organizations have also supported comprehensive educational programs for children through language and computer courses (Valladares, 2021).
Additionally, at the local school and nursery, refugees strive to advance through education. Older students aim for universities in Algeria or Spain. However, income-generating activities are scarce, which results in camp residents remaining largely dependent on humanitarian assistance with limited prospects for self-reliance (Bensemra, 2016).
To better support these children and help them build their futures, more efforts should focus on creating vocational training programs and providing resources for income-generating activities. Initiatives that foster skill development could empower Sahrawi youth, enabling them to contribute to their communities and work towards a sustainable future.
Lastly, to achieve lasting peace in Western Sahara, the international community must urge the UN to fulfill its responsibilities. Founded in 1991, MINURSO (The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western) is responsible for conducting a referendum on Western Sahara’s independence. However, unresolved issues such as voter eligibility and refugee repatriation continue to hinder progress toward a peaceful resolution (MINURSO, n.d.).
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Written by Lidija Misic
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