The Potential of Mediation in the Arab World's Irredentist Conflicts (on the Example of the Western Sahara War)

Abstract

The article examines the potential of mediation in resolving irredentist conflicts on the example of the war in Western Sahara, analysing key aspects of the conflict, including the role of international organisations such as the UN and the Organisation of African Unity in negotiations between the parties. The article also reveals the peculiarities of mediation in the context of Morocco's post-colonial territorial claims to Western Sahara and the involvement of other states, such as Spain, France, Algeria and the United States, in the region. The authors note the difficulties arising in the mediation process due to the parties' different approaches to conflict resolution. The authors analyse the role of historical memory and ethnic identity in shaping Morocco's irredentist claims, as well as the factor of religious and cultural differences that complicate negotiations. The relationship between domestic interests and geopolitical influences on the negotiation process is explored. The authors highlight the problems of the legal status of Western Sahara in international law, which complicates the achievement of a compromise between the parties. The role of referendums as a tool for conflict resolution and their limitations in this particular case are also revealed. The article concludes that it is necessary to involve neutral states as mediators and that it is important to adhere to the principle of voluntariness in negotiations.