WSRW and its British partner organisation Western Sahara Campaign have written to Cairn Energy, appealing the firm to uphold its own lema; “doing things right”.
Cairn has recently teamed up with Kosmos Energy for the so-called Boujdour block, an area with oil potential located offshore Boujdour, a coastal town in Western Sahara - a territory that is largely under Moroccan occupation since 1975. Both Kosmos and Cairn erroneously locate the oil block in Morocco, though.
“Under the terms of the farm-in agreement, which is subject to Morocco Government approval, Cairn will pay a promoted share of future exploration costs, towards a 3D seismic survey, an exploration well planned for 2014 and, if successful, two appraisal wells, all subject to a maximum expenditure cap“, the Scotland based oil firm Cairn Energy wrote.
The United Nations consider the search for oil in Western Sahara in violation of international law. In pursueing their quest, in spite of the UN legal opinion, several oil companies are actively contributing to Morocco’s illegal occupation of Western Sahara, thereby undermining the UN peace process. Among those is Cairn Energy.
When countries defend self-determination while voting against it
Our analysis of yesterday's UN Security Council vote on Western Sahara reveals a striking gap between what some governments said about the Saharawi people's right to self-determination and the resolution they voted to support.
US and Russia veto competing Western Sahara resolutions, leaving MINURSO’s future uncertain
In an extraordinary confrontation, both permanent members blocked each other’s proposals on Western Sahara. With no resolution adopted, the UN mission faces an imminent expiry of its mandate.
SRI update
The following overview enlists stock-exchange registered companies with current or recent operations in occupied Western Sahara. Updated 28 October 2026.
UN Security Council may endorse the occupation of Western Sahara
On the 30th of October, the UN Security Council may vote on a resolution on Western Sahara that sets aside the Saharawi people's right to self-determination, in violation of the UN Charter.