Government of Western Sahara
Long Conventional Name
Western Sahara
Short Conventional Name
Western Sahara
Long Local Name
Short Local Name
Government Type
Not applicable
Capital City
Laayoune (El Aaiun, Morocco)
Administrative Divisions
None (under de facto control of Morocco) - legal status of territory and issue of sovereignty unresolved; territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), which in February 1976 formally proclaimed a government-in-exile of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), led by President Mohamed ABDELAZIZ.
Territory partitioned between Morocco and Mauritania in April 1976, with Morocco acquiring northern two-thirds; Mauritania, under pressure from Polisario guerrillas, abandoned all claims to its portion in August 1979; Morocco moved to occupy that sector shortly thereafter and has since asserted administrative control; the Polisario's government-in-exile was seated as an Organization of African Unity (OAU) member in 1984; guerrilla activities continued sporadically, until a UN-monitored cease-fire was implemented 6 September 1991.
Independence Day
Monday, 8th January 2007
Constitutional History
Legal System
N/A
Suffrage
None; a UN-sponsored voter identification campaign not yet completed.
Executive Branch
Chief of State
N/A
Head of Government
N/A
Cabinet
N/A
Elections
N/A
Legislative Branch
Judical Branch
Flag Description
