What is a resource for the people of Western Sahara? A historical synthesis of a socio-territorial issue

This article reviews the concept of a resource and its application to the case of Western Sahara, exploring the historical understanding of a resource for the nomadic populations of Western Sahara. Furthermore, it examines the diachronic evolution of this concept in light of the colonial presence and proposes a focus on Spanish colonial discourse and propaganda regarding the Sahara’s resources. The article concludes with an analysis of how the political awareness of the Sahrawi people is reflected in the claims for self-determination formulated by the Polisario Front since its foundation.

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Publication Details

Journal
Review of African Political Economy
Published
2025-01-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.62191/roape-2025-0012
Primary Topic
African Studies and Geopolitics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

What is a resource for the people of Western Sahara? A historical synthesis of a socio-territorial issue

Francesco Correale
Review of African Political Economy
African Studies and Geopolitics
article

What is a resource for the people of Western Sahara? A historical synthesis of a socio-territorial issue

Francesco Correale
article en

Abstract

This article reviews the concept of a resource and its application to the case of Western Sahara, exploring the historical understanding of a resource for the nomadic populations of Western Sahara. Furthermore, it examines the diachronic evolution of this concept in light of the colonial presence and proposes a focus on Spanish colonial discourse and propaganda regarding the Sahara’s resources. The article concludes with an analysis of how the political awareness of the Sahrawi people is reflected in the claims for self-determination formulated by the Polisario Front since its foundation.

Review of African Political EconomyVol. 52(184)
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), CItés, Territoires, Environnement et Sociétés (FR)
Openalex Percentile: Top 81%
African Studies and Geopolitics
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