Moroccan ministry of mines raided

In complete violation of international law, Morocco is pillaging the minerals and phosphates in occupied Western Sahara. This week, their office in El Aaiun was raided by Saharawis. A phosphate worker was killed by Moroccan police. 

Published 10 November 2010

The UN has established that Saharawis must give its consent if natural resource activities in Western Sahara can take place. 

But Morocco and the international firms that take part in the plunder, fail to obtain the consent from the Saharawis.

This video shows the offices of the Department of Mines being raided by angry Saharawis. The raids started as the peaceful protest camp outside El Aaiun was stormed by Moroccan police on Monday 8 October.

In the same disturbances, not far from where this video was recorded, a worker of the phosphate mine was killed by the police. His name is Mahmoud Badi Gargar (below), and he has worked in the phosphate mines for 5 years. Mahmoud leaves wife and 2 kids. 

 

killed_510.jpg


 

SRI update

The following overview enlists stock-exchange registered companies with current or recent operations in occupied Western Sahara. Updated 12 September 2025.

12 September 2025

Skretting Turkey misled about sustainability

Dutch-Norwegian fish feed giant admits using conflict fishmeal from occupied Western Sahara. Yesterday, it removed a fake sustainability claim from its website.

11 September 2025

Beware of products carrying a “GGN” code

Tomatoes from occupied Western Sahara, certified by GLOBALG.A.P., are being sold in German grocery stores with a false country of origin.

05 September 2025

Farmer in exile: GLOBALG.A.P. is certifying injustice

A Saharawi refugee farmer expresses shock about the German certification scheme qualifying Moroccan agriculture in his illegally occupied homeland as sustainable. 

03 September 2025