Bir Lehlu (Sahrawi Republic) 5 February 2026 (SPS)- The Saharawi Republic’s Petroleum and Mining Authority (SPMA) issued a Press Release Today to alert governments, institutions, and private-sector actors to Morocco’s ongoing and unlawful involvement in the trade and promotion of strategic minerals originating from occupied Western Sahara.
The release is issued in response to the participation of Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nasser Bourita, in an international ministerial meeting on critical minerals held in Washington, D.C., under the auspices of United States Secretary of State Mr. Marco Rubio.
The statement reaffirms the Saharawi Republic’s internationally recognized legal position regarding sovereignty over Western Sahara and its natural resources, underscoring that any exploration, exploitation, or commercialization of Saharawi natural resources conducted by Morocco or through Moroccan authorities is illegal under international law, and warns that third parties risk legal and reputational consequences by engaging in such activities without the consent of the Saharawi people and their legitimate representative.
Following is the full text of the Release:
Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic
Petroleum and Mining Authority
Email: [email protected] Web: www.sadrpma.com
Media release – Communiqué
(For Immediate Release)
The Saharawi Petroleum and Mining Authority warns against Morocco’s illegal trade in occupied Western Sahara’s strategic minerals.
Bir Lehlu, Western Sahara (5 February 2026), The Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) Petroleum and Mining Authority (SPMA) takes note of the participation of the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nasser Bourita, in a ministerial meeting on critical minerals held in Washington under the auspices of the United States Secretary of State, Mr Marco Rubio.
The SPMA wishes to underline, in the clearest possible terms, that the Kingdom of Morocco has no sovereignty, jurisdiction, or legal right over the territory or natural resources of Western Sahara. This position is firmly established under international law and has been repeatedly confirmed by authoritative legal bodies and courts.
In particular, the United Nations Legal Opinion of 2002 explicitly states that any exploration or exploitation of the natural resources of Western Sahara without the consent of the Saharawi people and their legitimate representative, the Polisario Front, constitutes a violation of international law. This legal reality has since been reaffirmed through multiple rulings by the Court of Justice of the European Union, as well as decisions by courts in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and New Zealand in addition to the ruling of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. All of these decisions have clearly and unequivocally recognized that Western Sahara is a territory that is legally separate and distinct from Morocco, confirmed the illegality of any agreements concluded by Morocco with third parties that include Western Sahara, and considered such agreements to be a serious violation of the Saharawi people’s right to self-determination and permanent sovereignty over their natural resources.
It should be recalled that Western Sahara is endowed with significant and diverse natural resources, including but not limited to gold, iron ore, zinc, and rare earth elements. These resources belong exclusively to the Saharawi people, who alone have the right to decide how, when, and with whom they are developed.
The participation of Moroccan officials in international forums discussing critical minerals, while Morocco continues its illegal occupation of parts of Western Sahara, is misleading and risks implicating third parties in activities that may amount to the exploitation of stolen resources. Any entity, company, or institution engaging in resource-related activities in Western Sahara through Moroccan authorities is doing so without legal basis and in disregard of international law.
The Saharawi Republic, through the SPMA, reiterates its openness and willingness to engage constructively with international partners, investors, and institutions interested in doing business in Western Sahara. Such engagement must, however, be conducted on a transparent, and internationally recognized basis, and cannot take place under the conditions of Morocco’s illegal occupation of Saharawi territory.
The Saharawi Republic is pragmatic and forward-looking. It welcomes responsible investment and stands ready to engage with all serious stakeholders committed to achieving sustainable development and economic growth.” (SPS)
090/500/60 (SPS)
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