Western Sahara is a disputed territory located in North Africa that is claimed by both the Kingdom of Morocco and the Polisario Front, a nationalist movement representing the Sahrawi people. The dispute over Western Sahara's sovereignty dates back to the late 19th century when European colonial powers claimed control over much of Africa.
In 1975, Spain, the colonial power in Western Sahara, withdrew from the territory, and both Morocco and the Polisario Front claimed sovereignty over it. The Polisario Front established the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in 1976 and declared Western Sahara to be its territory. However, Morocco refused to recognize the independence of Western Sahara and annexed the territory, leading to a military conflict between the two sides.
The United Nations has been involved in efforts to resolve the dispute, and in 1991, a ceasefire was declared, and a UN mission was established to monitor the situation. The UN has called for a referendum on self-determination for the people of Western Sahara, but this has not been implemented due to disagreements between Morocco and the Polisario Front over who should be eligible to vote.
The situation in Western Sahara remains unresolved, with Morocco controlling most of the territory, and the Polisario Front controlling a smaller area in the east. The international community is divided on the issue, with some countries recognizing the SADR as an independent state, while others recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the territory. The lack of a resolution to the conflict is due to the complex historical, political, and economic factors involved, as well as the interests of the parties involved.