Chahid Elhafed (Sahrawi Repunlic) 26 September 2025 (SPS) – The Sahrawi Observatory for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (SONREP) strongly denounced the recent reception of a delegation of Irish business representatives by the Moroccan authorities of occupation in the occupied city of Dakhla, describing the move as a blatant violation of international law.
In a statement issued today, SONREP warned that promoting foreign investment in Western Sahara without the consent of its people directly contravenes the principle of permanent sovereignty over natural resources and risks consolidating Morocco’s illegal occupation.
Such actions, the Observatory stressed, enable the unlawful plunder of Sahrawi resources while causing irreparable environmental damage.
The organization recalled that the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has, on multiple occasions, reaffirmed that Western Sahara is a territory separate and distinct from Morocco. The most recent CJEU ruling again made clear that no agreement can lawfully apply to Western Sahara or its resources without the explicit consent of the Sahrawi people.
SONREP underlined that this binding precedent exposes the illegality of attempts to attract foreign investors under Moroccan authority.
SONREP also drew attention to the long-standing official position of Ireland, which has consistently supported the UN-led peace process and the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination. The Observatory noted that Irish governments have received Sahrawi representatives at the highest levels on several occasions, and expressed deep concern that Irish business circles are now engaging in practices that contradict Dublin’s stated policies and undermine international law.
In light of this development, SONREP called on Irish companies to immediately withdraw from any dealings in occupied Western Sahara.
The group further urged the Government of Ireland and the European Union to ensure that businesses under their jurisdiction refrain from entering into agreements that serve to normalise Morocco’s occupation.
It also appealed to international institutions to investigate and hold accountable all actors complicit in the illegal exploitation of Sahrawi resources.
“The Sahrawi people alone have the sovereign right to decide the use of their land and natural wealth,” the statement concluded. “Any investment made without their consent is illegal, unethical, and unsustainable.” (SPS)
090/500/60 (SPS)
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