The Declaration of Intent regarding the establishment of an energy-partnership between the Kingdom of Morocco and the German Bundesrepublic, signed yesterday, focuses on the need to further develop a bilateral partnership in order to expand renewable energy initiatives, and the need for political support for the Desertec project - a giant solar power project in the Sahara desert.
By 2050, Desertec aims to supply 15% of Europe’s energy needs through solar energy generated in the Saharan desert. The project has been criticised for including occupied Western Sahara in its projected scope. A map depicting solar and wind plants in the occupied territory is still included on Desertec's webpages today.
Following protests by civil society, Desertec announced in 2010 that it would not undertake its pilot project in Western Sahara, citing “reputational reasons”. But Desertec never commented on the location of follow-up projects.
German multinational Siemens, a major shareholder of the Desertec Industrial Initiative, is currently partnering with Moroccan holding Nareva for a windfarm project in occupied Western Sahara.
No mention is done in the new bilateral declaration as to the scope of the partnership: Morocco sees Western Sahara as their own national territory. The German government, the UN and the International Court of Justice do not recognise Western Sahara as part of Morocco.
One of the richest coastlines in the world
The fish stocks of occupied Western Sahara have not only attracted the interest of the Moroccan fleet: other foreign interests are also fishing in the occupied waters through arrangements with Moroccan counterparts. Along the Western Saharan coastline, a processing industry has emerged.
The CJEU Court Cases
Keeping track of the many legal proceedings relating to Western Sahara is not easy. This page offers an overview of the cases concerning the territory that have been before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
Tūhana human rights advisors ignore human rights
A consultancy hired to assess phosphate imports from occupied Western Sahara into New Zealand concludes there is no problem.
MEPs push back on Commission over Western Sahara in EU–Morocco trade
MEPs from across the political spectrum sharply criticised the European Commission over its handling of EU-Morocco trade relations covering occupied Western Sahara, raising concerns over legality, transparency and an apparent disregard for Parliament’s role.