Western Sahara Resource Watch

EU looks to avoid energy imports from Western Sahara

The European Commission recognizes the importance of respecting "the separate and distinct status of the territory of Western Sahara" when considering energy imports from Morocco.

Published 02 February 2017

Key Bay unloaded all cargo in Fécamp, France

Upon arrival to Ghent, Belgium, tomorrow, the controversial vessel Key Bay - transporting fish oil from Western Sahara into the EU - will be empty.

Published 25 January 2017

Here is the Key Bay inside the port of Fécamp

Beautiful images of a vessel with an ugly cargo; fish oil taken illegally from an occupied land; the Key Bay in the port of Fécamp.

Published 24 January 2017

A lighter Key Bay is on its way to Ghent, Belgium

The vessel carrying fish oil from occupied Western Sahara into the European Union seems to have unloaded some, but not all, of its cargo in Fécamp, France.

Published 24 January 2017

Why the Key Bay imports are not in accordance with EU law

This morning, the Key Bay tanker delivered a shipment of fish oil from occupied Western Sahara to France. But why does that potentially violate EU regulations?

Published 23 January 2017

Key Bay just outside of port of Fécamp

The vessel carrying fish oil from occupied Western Sahara is about to enter its port of destination, after a delay of at least two days.

Published 22 January 2017

Key Bay to arrive in France while complaints to be filed

On 20 January at 5 PM, the vessel Key Bay is set to arrive in the north of France. Polisario is filing complaints vis-a-vis French and EU authorities, asking them to act.

Published 18 January 2017

Key Bay appears at Las Palmas horizon

The vessel carrying fish oil from occupied Western Sahara into the EU is at present entering the harbour of Las Palmas.

Published 14 January 2017

Key Bay is now heading to Las Palmas

After a long stay-over in Mauritania, the chemical tanker 'Key Bay' is now on its way to the EU with fish oil from occupied Western Sahara. First stop: Las Palmas.

Published 14 January 2017

Fresh images: Key Bay inside the port

Photos and video shows Key Bay inside the port of El Aaiun in occupied Western Sahara, loading fish oil.

Published 07 January 2017

First ship to challenge EU Court ruling on occupied Western Sahara

Two weeks have passed since the Court of Justice of the EU decided that Western Sahara products cannot be part of EU-Morocco trade deal. A vessel is now to transport fish oil from the occupied territory, most probably to France.

Published 06 January 2017

Here is the vessel that will transport fish oil to the EU

Key Bay is this evening picking up fish oil in the occupied territory of Western Sahara, to transport to the EU. See photos here.

Published 06 January 2017

Chinese Geron Energy might take over block in occupied Western Sahara

Irish oil company San Leon confirms that an unknown Chinese investor is sniffing on a majority stake in the company. San Leon is looking for oil in occupied Western Sahara, in violation of international law.

Published 04 January 2017

Kosmos Energy asked by OECD contact point to quote correctly

The US oil company Kosmos Energy, operating offshore occupied Western Sahara, is requested by an OECD national contact point to "refrain from positioning interpretations as facts". The company refuses to remove lies about a civil society association from its website and refuse to answer questions from WSRW.

Published 25 December 2016

WSRW concerned: Vigeo Eiris greenwashes dirty energy on occupied land

International investors have shied away from funding Morocco's dirty 'green' energy in occupied Western Sahara. But a Moroccan subsidiary of the French-UK firm Vigeo Eiris has stepped in to certify the bonds which will secure the necessary financing.

Published 23 December 2016

Reaction from Polisario on EU-Morocco court case

See statement and press conference held today in Brussels.

Published 22 December 2016

Saharawi refugees celebrate victory in EU court

The Court of Justice's decision to clearly exclude Western Sahara from EU-Morocco trade deals are met with celebrations among Saharawis. See images and videos coming in from refugee camps.

Published 21 December 2016

EU Court protects Western Sahara from EU-Morocco trade deal

The highest Court of the European Union this morning found that EU's trade agreement with Morocco cannot be implemented in Western Sahara.

Published 21 December 2016

Police refused these Saharawis access to "green" energy brief

Moroccan police today barred Saharawis from attending a "public consultation" organised by ACWA Power, contracted to construct the first solar plants in occupied Western Sahara.

Published 30 November 2016

These firms will build first solar plants in Western Sahara

The Moroccan government has contracted a group of companies to construct three solar plants – two of which will be located in occupied Western Sahara. But who are they?

Published 29 November 2016