Western Sahara Resource Watch

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

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

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

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

Biggest Saharawi groups from occupied territory tell Kosmos to leave

In a letter sent to Kosmos Energy today, the biggest Saharawi organisations from the occupied territory of Western Sahara forcefully condemn the company's plans to drill for oil in their country. Read their letter here.

Published 15 October 2014

The controversy platform has crossed the Indian Ocean

The vessel 'Atwood Achiever' which will drill in occupied Western Sahara is getting closer. After some ten days under the radar, crossing the Indian Ocean, the vessel has now appeared off the coast of Madagascar.

Published 14 October 2014

WSRW raises Western Saharan oil development at UN Fourth Committee

WSRW has asked the United Nations’ Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) to report on Morocco's petroleum exploration in occupied Western Sahara to the General Assembly.

Published 13 October 2014

Kosmos partners in Sahara look for the wrong answers

The “on-the-ground” partners of oil company Kosmos Energy in occupied Western Sahara do not base their work on local expertise. Far from it. They are led by directors with a clear pro-Moroccan approach to the conflict. Kosmos Energy is looking for the answers they want to hear - from the wrong people.

Published 03 October 2014

The platform is only few weeks away

The oil rig Atwood Achiever is only a few weeks away from arriving Western Sahara. After a stop-over in Singapore, it is now heading towards the occupied territory.

Published 01 October 2014

Kosmos' ordered drill rig on its way to occupied Western Sahara

The Atwood Achiever, the oil rig commissioned by Kosmos Energy to drill for oil in occupied Western Sahara, is currently at anchor in Singapore. In a few weeks time, the rig may permanently damage the Saharawi people's aspirations to freedom and independence, as it commences unethical and illegal oil drilling in Africa's last colony.

Published 23 September 2014

Saharawi journalists ask Kosmos Energy not to drill in occupied waters

The Saharawi Center for Media and Communication (SCMC), based in El Aaiun, occupied Western Sahara, has asked Kosmos Energy to reconsider its plans to commence oil drilling off the coast of their occupied homeland later this year. Kosmos' plans could destroy the Saharawi people's future beyond repair. Read SCMC's letter to the company here.

Published 22 September 2014

Moroccan PR campaigner to write Kosmos Energy controversy assessment

A Moroccan national who dedicates her life to campaign the Moroccan position of the Western Sahara conflict is working on the upcoming “Social Impact Assessment” of Kosmos Energy. Drilling in the occupied territory to begin in November.

Published 10 September 2014

Geo Service 1 spotted in occupied Western Sahara

Kosmos Energy's supply vessel Geo Service 1 was observed yesterday in occupied Western Sahara.

Published 05 July 2014

Polisario asked Ban Ki-Moon to step in to stop illegal oil hunt

The UN secretariat has previously stated any further oil search in Western Sahara would be illegal. Polisario requested the UN Secretary General to intervene.

Published 01 July 2014

Kosmos supply vessels observed in occupied territory

Two of the vessels used by Kosmos Energy for its final exploration programme were last week observed in Dakhla, occupied Western Sahara.

Published 30 June 2014

Kosmos to undertake lie-finding mission to Western Sahara

Kosmos Energy officials are next week to undertake a mission to Western Sahara to meet with pro-Moroccan sham groups in Western Sahara, according to WSRW's sources. The company is ever closer to destroy the future of the Saharawi people.

Published 29 June 2014