Western Sahara Protests UN-Backed Seabed Oil Drilling

Strategic Insights -

President of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, Mohamed Abdelaziz, has written to the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, to protest the drilling activities of Kosmos Energy on the coast of Western Sahara. Abdelaziz described the drilling operation as a "serious provocation and a real threat to peace and stability in Western Sahara and the Maghreb region." The drilling, conducted by Kosmos Energy, is taking place in the Boujdour Offshore Block, a seabed license area northwest of Dakhla, and is expected to continue for three months. The Saharawi government has long protested the development and export of natural resources in Western Sahara, citing the illegality of such activities under both international humanitarian law and the right of the Saharawi people to control and disposition of their natural resources.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Mohamed Abdelaziz has protested the UN-backed seabed oil drilling activities of Kosmos Energy in Western Sahara to the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon.
  • The drilling operation is taking place in the Boujdour Offshore Block, northwest of Dakhla, and is expected to continue for three months.
  • The Saharawi government considers petroleum development in occupied Western Sahara to be illegal under international humanitarian law, which prohibits the pillage of natural resources in the circumstances of a continuing armed occupation.
  • The UN Security Council received legal advice from the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, Mr. Hans Corell, in 2002, stating that any "further" exploration or exploitation of seabed oil without the consent of and benefit to the Saharawi people would be illegal.
  • The Saharawi government has consistently rejected petroleum exploration and development in the occupied area of Western Sahara.
  • The UN is responsible for holding a self-determination referendum for the Saharawi people in Western Sahara.

Statistics:

  • The expected duration of the oil drilling operation is three months.
  • The location of the drilling operation is in the Boujdour Offshore Block, northwest of Dakhla, in Western Sahara.
  • The Saharawi people have consistently rejected petroleum exploration and development in the occupied area of Western Sahara since the activity began.
  • The UN Security Council received legal advice from Mr. Hans Corell in 2002 on the illegality of seabed oil exploration and exploitation in Western Sahara.

Sources:

  • "News: Western Sahara Protests UN-Backed Seabed Oil Drilling." Sahara Press Service. AllAfrica Global Media, January 27, 2015.