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EU-Morocco Fisheries Deal: A Blow to Polisario's Legitimacy Amid Premature Celebrations

Friday 22 March 2024 - 10:42

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In a rush to claim victory, the Polisario Front has prematurely celebrated a legal advisor's recommendation to the European Court of Justice regarding the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement. However, this celebration appears to be premature, as the recommendation is merely a suggestion and not a final judgment or court ruling.

The legal advisor's opinion, though seemingly unfavorable to Morocco, delivers a significant blow to the Polisario Front's legitimacy and narrative. By underscoring that the people of Sahara "lack an official representative," the opinion challenges the separatist group's assertions of being the legitimate representative of Sahrawis.

Moreover, the notice explains that the Polisario Front has never been elected by the population, rendering it impossible to "determine with certainty if the Polisario enjoys the support of the majority." Additionally, the document states that the separatist group has never received the status of a "national liberation movement" from either the UN, the EU, or their member states.

An intriguing aspect of the legal advisor's recommendation is its suggestion that produce from Sahara should be labeled as originating from a "distinct territory," notwithstanding the ongoing UN-led political process aimed at finding a mutually acceptable solution to the dispute. This process recognizes Morocco's autonomy plan as a credible and serious basis for resolving the Sahara issue.

While the recommendation may seem unfavorable to Morocco, it also underscores the growing support for the country's Autonomy Plan, presented to the Security Council in 2007. The legal advisor notes that "support for the 2007 autonomy plan by the Kingdom of Morocco appears to be growing," citing the evolving language in UN Security Council resolutions.

Furthermore, the EU court legal advisor reaffirms Morocco's legitimacy as the sole authorized authority to conclude agreements with the EU covering the southern provinces, emphasizing the absence of Polisario's legitimacy or capacity to do so.

Despite the potential implications of the recommendation, the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement had already been suspended since its expiration on July 17 of the previous year. Morocco has expressed its willingness to determine the agreement's fate through comprehensive assessments, considering key parameters such as preserving national resources and aligning with the country's foreign policy objectives.

The Partnership Agreement between the EU and Morocco has played a pivotal role in promoting sustainable fisheries practices and fostering cooperation between the two parties. Several members of the European Parliament have supported the EU-Morocco agreements, emphasizing their role as a tool to enhance strategic relations between the two countries.

As the legal process unfolds, it remains to be seen how the recommendation will influence the future of the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement. However, one thing is clear: the Polisario Front's premature celebrations may have been misguided, as the legal advisor's opinion has cast doubt on their legitimacy and challenged their narrative as the representative of the Sahrawi people.