Saharawis in occupied Western Sahara: "Shame on you San Leon"
Article image

Saharawis in the occupied parts of Western Sahara continue to speak out against Irish/UK company San Leon Energy's plans to drill for oil in their homeland. "Stop supporting brutal occupation of Western Sahara", they say.

Published 12 August 2015

San Leon Energy announced a few weeks ago that it plans to drill for oil in "Morocco" this August. In reality, the drill site is located outside of Morocco's borders, around 14 kilometers north of El Aaiun, in the territory of Western Sahara that Morocco has illegally occupied since 1975. The operation is in blatant disrespect of international law, which accords the Saharawi people the right to freely determine the future status of their homeland and its resources. The Saharawis oppose San Leon's plans. 

"San Leon Energy, stop supporting brutal occupation of Western Sahara", say the banners of the Association for the Monitoring of the Natural Resources and for the Environment Protection in Western Sahara. "Entrepose, no welcome", the banners read. Entrepose is the French company that has been contracted to carry out the drilling operation on behalf of San Leon.

Saharawi protests against foreign companies working for Morocco in occupied Western Sahara usually take place indoors, out of safety precautions. Without exception, Saharawi demonstrations inside the occupied territory are met with brutalities and violence by the Moroccan police and security personnel.

Earlier, the Saharawis living precisely on the oil block where San Leon will drill, spoke out against the planned boring. The Saharawi president, residing in exile in refugee camps in Algeria, has asked the United Nations to intervene and stop San Leon in its tracks. The Saharawis living in the Algerian refugee camps have also demonstrated against San Leon.

But it seems San Leon's leadership couldn't care less.

el_aaiun_6_august_2015_a_610.jpg
Download
el_aaiun_6_august_2015_b_610.jpg
Download
el_aaiun_6_august_2015_610.jpg
Download

SRI update

The following overview enlists stock-exchange registered companies with current or recent operations in occupied Western Sahara. Updated 7 May 2025.

07 May 2025

Bureau Veritas suggests Western Sahara is Morocco

The French company - which claims to excel at understanding of regulations - seemingly fails to know in which country it is supporting businesses. 

07 May 2025

Wärtsilä into politics - defends operations on occupied land

The Finnish company Wärtsilä refers to Western Sahara as part of Morocco and cites the positions of “certain countries” to justify its operations in the occupied territory.

02 May 2025

Siemens Energy misrepresents EU Court rulings

The German multinational - which supplies the Moroccan energy projects in the occupied territory - fails to grasp EU court rulings. 

07 April 2025