Concerns Over Marine Resource Depletion in Western Sahara
CHAHID EL HAFED - The Association for Resource Monitoring and Environmental Protection in Western Sahara (AREN) has strongly condemned the ongoing depletion of marine resources in Western Sahara, a situation exacerbated by Morocco's compliance with foreign vessels and entities. In a recent statement, AREN expressed significant concern regarding the relentless exploitation and plundering of marine resources belonging to the Sahrawi people by foreign fleets operating in the waters off the coast of Western Sahara. This situation is occurring in blatant violation of international law and United Nations resolutions pertaining to the territory.
In this context, the Association has reported the entry of the massive Russian factory ship ALEKSANDR MIRONENKO (IMO 8607177) into Sahrawi waters on June 1, 2026, after departing from Casablanca, where it had been docked for several months. Additionally, they are closely monitoring the continued presence of another Russian vessel, the Staryy Arbat (IMO 8721064), at the port of Tarfaya.
Call to Action for International Oversight
In response to these illicit activities, the Association for Resource Monitoring and Environmental Protection in Western Sahara reiterates that any exploitation of the natural resources of Western Sahara without the consent of the Sahrawi people constitutes a violation of the principle of permanent sovereignty of peoples over their natural resources, a principle enshrined by the United Nations and international law. AREN urges the United Nations to fulfill its responsibilities in protecting the natural resources of Western Sahara and to ensure that they are not exploited against the will of the Sahrawi people. Furthermore, it demands that the Sahrawi people be allowed to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and permanent sovereignty over their natural resources.
As reported by spsrasd.info.
