At a time when the French government is ignoring all international law in Western Sahara, it places its own companies in serious risk, WSRW warns. 

The Irish airline has announced a new route to Dakhla in “Morocco”, praising the occupying power for its ”support and vision in securing this major investment".

… in just one year, and under the EU-Morocco trade agreement alone.

WSRW has summarised the key findings of the landmark rulings on Western Sahara of the EU Court of Justice, of 4 October 2024. 

Days after the ECJ ruling, Morocco is still trying to find a company that will connect its illegal energy projects in occupied Western Sahara to the Moroccan grid.

The US company GE Vernova is seemingly gambling with its lucrative projects elsewhere when it operates in occupied Western Sahara for the Moroccan government. 

The Moroccan government is allegedly planning a $2.1 billion investment in new controversial infrastructure projects in occupied Western Sahara.

Last week, the Norwegian shipping company Green Reefers delivered frozen fish to Russia that had been caught in occupied Western Sahara in violation of international law.

The UN Secretary General notes the concerns of Morocco's use of the natural resources in Western Sahara in his latest report to the UN Security Council. 

The highest Court in the EU has ruled that Western Sahara products cannot be labelled as originating from the neighbouring country Morocco. Help us to investigate in your supermarket.

The European Parliament has expressed itself in favour of holding debates in three parliament committees about the exclusion of Western Sahara from EU-Morocco trade agreements. 

The following overview enlists stock-exchange registered companies with current or recent operations in occupied Western Sahara. Updated 18 November 2024.

What should we expect from the EU institutions, the member states and the businesses now as David beat Goliath in the EU Court of Justice? WSRW has carved out some suggested steps. 

Saharawi refugees today took to the streets in the refugee camps to celebrate the victories in the EU Court of Justice. 

In its ruling this morning, 4 October 2024 the EU Court of Justice ruled that products from Western Sahara on the EU market cannot be labelled “from Morocco”. 

“This is a momentous victory for the people of Western Sahara. At a time when international law is under pressure, it is fundamental that the EU follows its own court and stops collaborating with the occupier through illegal trade agreements”, stated Western Sahara Resource Watch. This morning, the EU Court of Justice issued a landmark ruling. 

The EU Commission this afternoon commented on its loss in the EU Court of Justice regarding trade and fisheries in the territory of Western Sahara. 

So far, no oil and gas have been discovered in Western Sahara. Two exploration licences are today operated by foreign companies, both from Israel, both offshore. 

The French company Engie has since 2023 been installing windmills in occupied Western Sahara for a massive project that would lead to the large-scale settlement of Moroccan farmers in the occupied territory. 

For the eleventh year in a row, Western Sahara Resource Watch publishes a detailed, annual overview of the companies involved in the purchase of conflict phosphates from occupied Western Sahara.