The secret wall in the Sahara | DW News

Key Concepts:

• Burm
• Western Sahara
• Morocco
• Polisario Front
• Sovereignty
• Landmines
• Barbed wire
• Trenches

The Great Sand Wall of Western Sahara: The Burm

The video discusses the "burm," a massive sand wall stretching 2,700 kilometers across the western Sahara desert. This is not merely a natural formation but a heavily fortified barrier constructed by Morocco in the 1980s. Its purpose is to divide the territory of Western Sahara into two distinct zones.

Fortifications and Security Measures:

The burm is more than just a sand wall; it is a sophisticated defensive structure. It is protected by:

• Trenches: These provide a physical obstacle and defensive positions.
• Barbed wire: This further deters unauthorized crossings.
• Millions of landmines: These are a significant deterrent and a dangerous element of the fortification.
• Over 100,000 Moroccan soldiers: These troops are actively guarding the wall, highlighting its strategic importance.

Historical Context and Conflict:

The existence of the burm is rooted in a long-standing territorial dispute over Western Sahara.

• Former Spanish Colony: Western Sahara was a Spanish colony.
• Moroccan Claim: Upon Spain's withdrawal, Morocco asserted its claim to the territory, citing historical ties from the pre-colonial era.
• Polisario Front: The Polisario Front, an independence movement representing the indigenous Sahrawi people who have inhabited the region for centuries, emerged to fight for independence.
• Decades of Conflict: This led to years of conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front.

Current Political Landscape:

The conflict and territorial dispute continue to this day, though the dynamics have evolved.

• Moroccan Diplomatic Efforts: Morocco's current king has been actively engaging with other nations to garner support for his country's position on Western Sahara.
• UN Security Council Stance: The United Nations Security Council now supports a path towards Moroccan sovereignty over all of Western Sahara, indicating a shift in international consensus.
• Ongoing Division: Despite these developments, the burm remains a physical manifestation of the division, cutting through the desert as it has for decades.

Synthesis and Conclusion:

The burm is a formidable and heavily militarized sand wall that serves as a physical demarcation line in the disputed territory of Western Sahara. Its construction and ongoing defense by Moroccan forces underscore the deep-seated historical and political conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the Sahrawi people. While international bodies like the UN Security Council are now leaning towards supporting Moroccan sovereignty, the burm stands as a stark reminder of the unresolved territorial claims and the enduring impact of this protracted dispute on the region.