Western Sahara remains heavily contaminated with landmines, cluster munitions, and explosive remnants of war as a result of the armed conflict between the Moroccan army and the Polisario Front from 1975 to 1991 resulting in more than 4000 victims. Since the resumption of hostilities in November 2020, the territory has witnessed a new wave of contamination , including remnants from Moroccan drone strikes causing more than 300 victims among civilians since 2020 —including herders, children, and women as well as losses in livestock , and exacerbating the hardships of travelers and families living in high-risk areas. The potential expansion or recontamination of previously cleared areas is very high.

These distressing humanitarian conditions represent a major setback after more than nineteen years of continuous humanitarian work in mine clearance, risk education, and victim assistance. Earlier mine clearance programs, supported by international partners, and involving the detection, the identification, and the safe removal or the destruction of landmines and other explosive remnants of war, resulted in the release of land. National organizations such as the Saharawi Association of Landmine Victims (ASAVIM) and the Sahrawi Women`s Group for Mine Action (SMAWT), successfully interact with local communities to provide mine victim assistance while advocating for a mine-free territory. However, the renewed fighting has negatively impacted much of this humanitarian progress, bringing the urge for support back to alarming levels.

In light of this grave situation, the Sahrawi Mine Action Coordination Office (SMACO) and Sahrawi associations active in humanitarian mine action sound the alarm and call for urgent mobilization to support field efforts : to expand mine risk education programs, provide psychological and social assistance to victims, and enable local organizations to continue their vital role in protecting civilians and saving lives. The issue of landmines and war remnants in Western Sahara is a misjudged humanitarian matter, concerning the fundamental rights to life, safety, and dignity. SMACO therefore appeals to the United Nations, the wider diplomatic community and international organizations to reaffirm greater support and technical assistance to sustain humanitarian action and to help restore hope for a future free from the devastating effects of landmines and remnants of war.

Shaheed El Hafed, November 11th 2025

Contact us at: director@smaco-ws.com