Saudi Arabia’s ‘Double Nile’ Aquifer: 14,217 km Redefining Engineering Laws
- Saudi Arabia is witnessing a true engineering revolution that has changed the face of the global water map,having successfully built an artificial water network that surpasses the...
- The record achieved by the Kingdom is astounding: a water transfer network extending to 14,217 kilometers - more than double the length of the Nile River, which is...
- The Kingdom of Morocco is experiencing heightened tensions following a recent judicial decision regarding the Eastern Sahara, specifically concerning the application of Moroccan law to the disputed territory.
Saudi Arabia is witnessing a true engineering revolution that has changed the face of the global water map,having successfully built an artificial water network that surpasses the greatest natural rivers in history.
The record achieved by the Kingdom is astounding: a water transfer network extending to 14,217 kilometers – more than double the length of the Nile River, which is only 6,650 kilometers.
The Kingdom of Morocco is experiencing heightened tensions following a recent judicial decision regarding the Eastern Sahara, specifically concerning the application of Moroccan law to the disputed territory. This has sparked protests and renewed debate over the region’s legal status and Morocco’s claims to sovereignty.
Moroccan Law in the Eastern Sahara
Morocco asserts its legal authority over the Eastern Sahara, including the application of Moroccan law to the region, a move contested by the Polisario Front and Algeria. This assertion aims to solidify Morocco’s administrative and judicial control over the territory. The application of Moroccan law impacts various aspects of life, from property rights to criminal justice, and is intended to integrate the region more fully into the Moroccan state.
In December 2023, the Moroccan Court of Cassation upheld a series of rulings confirming the application of Moroccan law in the Eastern Sahara, effectively rejecting challenges to Morocco’s sovereignty over the region. Moroccan Press Agency
The Polisario Front and Algerian Response
The Polisario Front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara, vehemently opposes Morocco’s application of its laws in the Eastern Sahara, viewing it as an illegal occupation. Algeria, a key supporter of the Polisario Front, has consistently condemned Morocco’s actions and called for a UN-supervised referendum on the region’s self-determination.
Following the Court of Cassation’s ruling, the Polisario Front announced a resumption of armed struggle, ending a ceasefire that had been in place for nearly three decades. Reuters. Algeria has provided political and logistical support to the Polisario Front, further escalating tensions with Morocco.
International Involvement and Potential Solutions
The United Nations has been involved in mediating the Western Sahara dispute for decades,with the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) monitoring the situation. However, efforts to organize a referendum on self-determination have stalled due to disagreements over voter eligibility and the scope of the referendum.
The United States, under the Trump administration in 2020, recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara in exchange for Morocco normalizing relations with Israel.U.S. Department of State This move was met with criticism from Algeria and the Polisario Front, and the Biden administration has since signaled a more neutral stance. Current efforts focus on UN-led negotiations to find a mutually acceptable solution, but progress remains limited.