Western Sahara Resource Watch

Luxembourg pension fund blacklists six firms over Saharan imports

A Luxembourg government fund has excluded six companies from its portfolios due to "association to illegal exploitation of natural resources (Western Sahara)".

Published 19 November 2014

Saharawi women demonstrating against Kosmos plunder plans

A group of women this week protested the drilling plans of Kosmos Energy in occupied Western Sahara. Their leader is serving lifetime in Moroccan jail for such protest.

Published 19 November 2014

The oil platform could arrive occupied Sahara in three days

The oil plattform 'Atwood Achiever' could arrive occupied Western Sahara Friday 15 November. There it will do the first drilling in occupied territory, ever.

Published 12 November 2014

San Leon bought its partner's interest in the "El Aaiun" oil block

San Leon in September purchased PetroMaroc's ownership in the so-called Tarfaya oil block, partially located in occupied Western Sahara.

Published 07 November 2014

Cairn Energy, stop messing with our referendum!

A demonstration against the Scottish company Cairn Energy took place yesterday in front of its offices in Stavanger, Norway.

Published 06 November 2014

Saharawi political prisoners speak out against Kosmos Energy

The 21 Saharawi political prisoners that are still imprisoned on the back of the Gdeim Izik mass protest camp, have today appealed to the church communities in Texas to denounce Kosmos Energy's plans in occupied Western Sahara. Read their full letter here.

Published 06 November 2014

Controversy Kosmos to open supply base in Las Palmas?

The controversial company Kosmos Energy, which is intending to drill in occupied Western Sahara on a licence granted by the occupying power of Morocco, might open a supply base in Las Palmas. First results of the illegal drilling to be announced within next 6 months.

Published 05 November 2014

Videos of protests against Kosmos Energy's oil plunder

These videos are free of use. No credit needed.

Published 04 November 2014

Japanese pirates went under the radar

Four Japanese vessels which carried out pirate fisheries in Western Sahara waters have turned off their location transponders. WSRW sends repeat protest to Japan government.

Published 04 November 2014

BBC: Kosmos refuses talks on self-determination

"The conversation with groups that are talking about self-determination and independence really isn't a conversation for Kosmos to be involved in", states Kosmos Energy to BBC. Former UN Legal Counsel calls Kosmos operations in violation of international law.

Published 31 October 2014

For dummies: Kosmos drilling in occupied Western Sahara

The US oil company Kosmos Energy and the Scottish company Cairn Energy will drill for oil offshore Western Sahara. It is clearly in violation of international law, according to the UN - and it destroys the UN peace efforts. Here is what you need to know.

Published 30 October 2014

Sonntagzeitung: Glencore up against resistance

The Swiss commodities giant wants to engage in controversial oil drilling in the occupied territory of Western Sahara. Article published in Sonntagzeitung, Switzerland, 26 October 2014

Published 29 October 2014

Researchers: “A Sahara oil spill would head to the Canary Islands”

The Canary Islands are opening their eyes to the dangers of Morocco’s illegal oil programme in Western Sahara. The currents would take any spill right onto shores of the tourist magnet.

Published 27 October 2014

Kosmos chartered oil rig filmed bunkering in Namibia

The Atwood Achiever, the oil rig charted by Kosmos Energy at a rate of over US $ 500,000 per day, arrived yesterday noon in the harbour of Walvis Bay, Namibia. It did it last bunkering before arriving in the occupied territory.

Published 27 October 2014

Oil drilling is illegal without Saharawi consent, Corell stresses

Kosmos Energy claims its oil exploration is in accordance with the 2002 UN Legal Opinion. If the company has failed to seek the consent of the Saharawi people, that it would not be the case, according to the author of that opinion, quoted by UN info centre today.

Published 24 October 2014

Contentious oil rig moving ever closer to occupied Western Sahara

The Atwood Achiever, the drill ship that has been commissioned by Kosmos Energy, has been spotted this morning off the coast of South Africa, just south of Cape Town.

Published 23 October 2014

Saharawi family lost home to Moroccan power line

French company Alstom is building an electricity line through Western Sahara. Elghalia Boujamaa and her family was beaten and evacuated this morning by police.

Published 22 October 2014

Saharawis demonstrating against Kosmos Energy in occupied territory

14 October, women in El Aaiun, Western Sahara took to the streets to protest the upcoming drilling of Kosmos Energy in occupied Western Sahara.

Published 18 October 2014

Japanese pirate fishing vessels entered Saharawi waters

Three Japanese fishing vessels have the last 48 hours been fishing in Saharawi waters. WSRW has asked the Japanese government to intervene.

Published 17 October 2014

Report on Kosmos in Western Sahara: Platform for Conflict

Western Sahara Resource Watch has today launched a report on Kosmos Energy’s unscrupulous plans for test well drilling in occupied Western Sahara. In a few weeks time, the company may permanently damage the Saharawi people's aspirations and rights to freedom and independence, as it commences unethical and illegal oil drilling in Africa's last colony.

Published 16 October 2014