ABSTRACT
The Cold War came to an end; however, the conflict in Western Sahara has yet to be definitively resolved. This chapter asserts that outside powers, particularly UN Security Council members France and the United States and to a lesser degree Great Britain, has prevented the resolution of this dispute. It demonstrates US support for Morocco in this conflict has been consistent. However, official US position, at least publicly, showed a degree of commitment to international legality. Power politics have overridden questions of international legality despite the unlawful occupation of the territory and the legitimacy of Sahrawi rights. The chapter considers that the stalemate in Western Sahara has never been due to questions about international legality or technical issues about the eligibility of the electorate during the referendum. Algeria continues to support the Sahrawis' right to self-determination and respect for international legality.
