Western Sahara: Gas Exploration Ignites Geopolitical Tensions
The Western Sahara remains a flashpoint in North Africa,a region fraught with unresolved disputes. Since Spain’s withdrawal in 1975, Morocco has laid claim to this expansive desert territory, a move contested by the Polisario Front, which advocates for the self-determination of the Sahrawi people with Algeria’s backing. The United Nations classifies western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory, making it the epicenter of intense diplomatic maneuvering where political and economic interests collide. For Rabat, maintaining control over this area is a strategic imperative, with each investment project serving as a declaration of sovereignty. Against this backdrop of simmering tension, a new crisis emerges: the exploration of maritime resources.
Gas Exploration Revives Fracture Lines
The recent granting of an exploration permit in the “Boujdour Atlantique” block, off the coast of Western Sahara, has sent shockwaves through the region. This permit, covering nearly 29,000 square kilometers, was awarded for an initial eight-year period to a consortium comprising the Moroccan company Adarco and the Israeli company NewMed Energy (formerly Delek), each holding a 37.5% stake. Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines retains 25% of the project.
The location of the project and the nationalities of its participants are causes for concern. Authorities in the Canary Islands, notably the Canary Coalition (CC) and the regional government, fear the potential consequences of such activity in a maritime zone close to their shores.They anticipate a maritime escalation
that could disrupt the ecological balance, harm local fishing industries, and further strain relations between Rabat and Madrid.
Israel enters the Waters of Conflict
The involvement of an israeli company in such a sensitive energy project marks a significant strategic development.Since the formal resumption of relations between Morocco and israel,economic partnerships have flourished in sectors such as defense,agriculture,and new technologies. Gas exploration in a disputed area now adds another layer to this evolving relationship.
For Israel, this venture into the Atlantic represents more than just an investment. It is a way of gaining a position in a coveted geopolitical environment, near the European market and the West African facade.
The choice of NewMed Energy to operate in waters near Western Sahara is not coincidental; it symbolizes the quiet expansion of Israeli-Moroccan cooperation in strategically sensitive areas.
This involvement, though seemingly technical, resonates deeply in diplomatic circles. It aligns Morocco with an alliance that extends beyond the regional framework,even as relations with Spain remain strained due to differing views on the political resolution of the Western Sahara issue. It also raises questions about the Sahrawi people’s right to determine the use of their resources, a principle often reiterated by the United Nations but seldom upheld in practice.
Tensions Reactivated, Seas Agitated
Offshore exploration in such a contested area acts as a catalyst for long-standing tensions, potentially transforming a territorial dispute into an energy crisis with unpredictable consequences. By intertwining strategic resources and unexpected alliances, this project brings to the forefront a conflict that many had hoped would remain dormant. The Canary Islands, as the most immediate point of friction, serve as a barometer for the instability that such initiatives can trigger.
Morocco is confidently advancing its interests, seeking to solidify its position in western Sahara while attracting influential partners. Israel, by providing its expertise and economic diplomacy, is integrating itself into an assertive regional strategy. Spain, simultaneously occurring, faces a tough choice: Defend his maritime interests while sparing fragile alliances on the other side of the Strait.
