On the occasion of the beginning of the European Conference for Support and Solidarity with the Saharawi People (EUCOCO) in Berlin (December 2/3), the Society for Threatened Peoples criticizes the fact that the German Federal Government has changed its position on Western Sahara – which has been illegally occupied by Morocco since 1975. “In the course of the energy crisis, we have seen a rapprochement between the German Federal Government and Morocco, which is an occupying power,” stated Nadja Grossenbacher, STP expert on genocide prevention and the Responsibility to Protect. “It is high time for the long-awaited UN referendum. As long as the Saharawis are not allowed to decide on their fate, it is wrong to cooperate with the occupying power.”

It is interesting that the conference is taking place in Germany – especially considering the new position of the German Federal Government: It is working towards “a long-term reliable cooperation” with Morocco regarding the use of green hydrogen as part of a “progressive energy policy”. At least one German company already has production facilities on Saharawi territory. According to the organization Western Sahara Resource Watch, German companies are also involved in deals with Western Sahara: Morocco is planning to sell natural resources from the region to the EU.

According to a decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union, such deals with Saharawi resources – including negotiations on fishing rights along the coast of Western Sahara – are illegal.