Western Sahara

Clearance output nearly doubled in 2024 compared to 2023, largely due to the suspension of operations during the first five months of 2023, which had limited productivity. While the renewed conflict between the Polisario Front and Morocco has remained low intensity, with no recorded use of cluster munitions, previously unrecorded cluster munition remnants (CMR) continued to be found, with 111,115m² of cluster munition-contaminated area identified in 2024.

• The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) should reaffirm in writing its commitment to respect and implement the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), including clearance of all cluster munition remnants (CMR), consonant with its international human rights obligations. This commitment should include annual submission of voluntary Article 7 transparency reports.

• The Saharawi Mine Action Coordination Office (SMACO) should finalise and adopt the newly drafted strategy, ensuring it includes a revised deadline for completion of CMR clearance, annual survey and clearance targets, and a detailed budget.

• Greater support should be provided to SMACO to enable it to continue coordinating mine action in Western Sahara east of the Berm and to ensure that the remaining explosive ordnance contamination is addressed.

Click here to download the full "Clearing Cluster Munition Remnants 2025" report for Western Sahara.