The Western Sahara oil curse
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Big oil’s interest in occupied Western Sahara has taken a dramatic turn for the worse. Some companies are now drilling, in complete disregard of international law and the Saharawi people’s rights. Here’s what you need to know.
Published 06 November 2015


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It is unseen: a country is carrying out a large-scale oil exploration programme outside of its national borders. When that happened last time, under Indonesia’s occupation of East Timor, the activities were widely condemned and universally acknowledged as illegal.

Yet, this is precisely what Morocco is doing now in Western Sahara. But this time, the entire international community looks away.

Western Sahara is often called the last colony of Africa, and the UN treats it as such; as a Non-Self Governing Territory without an administering power in place. The people of Western Sahara, the Saharawis, have an internationally recognised right to self-determination; the right to decide the future status of the land and its resources.

The Saharawis have time and again spoken out against the oil development in their occupied homeland. Their voices are ignored by Morocco, the international community and the oil companies that choose to side with Morocco, who all seem to put profit over people.

Read up on big oil in Western Sahara, and find out what you can do to help put an end this injustice.

SRI update

The following overview enlists stock-exchange registered companies with current or recent operations in occupied Western Sahara. Updated 28 October  2026.

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.

27 October 2026

Polisario takes legal action to stop Ryanair

In a press conference in Madrid today, Polisario Front announced that the Western Sahara liberation movement is opening a legal case against the Spanish authorities for having issued a permit to Ryanair to fly to occupied Western Sahara.

26 October 2026

Irish ad watchdog: Ryanair misleading about flights to Western Sahara

In a preliminary decision, the Irish advertising watchdog says the airline’s ads are likely to mislead, as Dakhla is “not a part of Morocco”.

16 October 2026