The conflict in Western Sahara has been unresolved for fifty years. While Morocco is positioning itself as a pioneer in green energy, climate change is exacerbating the situation for the people in the Sahrawi refugee camps. To ensure that they are not forgotten, the young activist Fatma Moulay works tirelessly for justice.
Sand and stone as far as the eye can see. The Sahrawi refugee camps in south-western Algeria are located in one of the most inhospitable areas of the Sahara. Extreme climatic conditions prevail here, which are exacerbated by global warming: Temperatures rise to over 50 degrees Celsius during the day, heavy rainfall leads to flooding and sandstorms are on the increase. The simple mud and tent structures offer hardly any protection from the extreme weather. Fatma Moulay, 28, grew up in these challenging conditions and returned here after studying in Germany. She was never able to visit her actual home, the Moroccan-occupied territory of Western Sahara.
Today Fatma Moulay works for the youth organization UJSARIO - a partner organization of terre des hommes schweiz. The young activist has dedicated herself to working for the Sahrawi people and for justice. At international conferences, she draws attention to the fate of the Sahrawis and the connection between climate change and conflict. For example, at the Basel Peace Forum last spring. "We Sahrawis, who have contributed nothing to climate change, are helplessly exposed to it," she says. A few years ago, a third of the refugees lost the roof over their heads when heavy rainfall devastated the camps. "It was traumatizing to watch the mud walls of our houses collapse," says Fatma.
Standstill instead of wandering
This hopelessness is in stark contrast to the traditional nomadic way of life of the Sahrawis. They used to follow the clouds, which heralded rain and thus water and grazing land for their goats and camels. But the occupation of Western Sahara has put an end to this way of life. Even the grazing grounds in the dry, heavily mined liberated part of Western Sahara are no longer accessible due to renewed Moroccan drone attacks. Cardboard is now shredded and soaked to feed the goats - a supplement to leftover food and the few shrubs. Water and food are also scarce for the people, and supplies depend on humanitarian aid.
"The refugee camps were once intended as a temporary solution, but this has now been going on for almost fifty years," says Fatma. 2025 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the violent occupation of Western Sahara. There is no end in sight.
The climate crisis is fueling the conflict
The occupation of Western Sahara is extremely lucrative for Morocco. The kingdom is plundering the rich phosphate and fish deposits there and growing fruit and vegetables in greenhouses, which are also sold on the European market. Morocco also produces solar and wind energy as well as green hydrogen. The country is positioning itself as a pioneer in the transition to renewable energy sources. A significant proportion of these projects are located in the occupied Western Sahara. "While Morocco's internationally funded national climate contributions are based on the exploitation of Western Sahara, we have no access to these mechanisms and to our resources," criticizes Fatma.
International law is on their side: all these activities on the part of Morocco are contrary to international law. This is because the extraction of natural resources in Western Sahara is only permitted if the affected population has given its prior consent - which it has not. In 1991, the Sahrawis were assured by the United Nations (UN) that a referendum would be held to decide on the independence of Western Sahara. This is still pending today, as Morocco has no interest in implementing the agreement. "The more time passes, the more dependent Morocco becomes on the territory of Western Sahara," explains Fatma.
From the refugee camp to the UN
Fatma is personally committed to the rights of her people and is not discouraged by resistance. Last year, for example, she was invited to the UN Climate Change Conference and had organized the visa and funding for her ticket and stay. "But when I got to the airport, they told me I wasn't allowed to travel any further," she says. This fall, she wants to raise her voice at the climate conference in Baku.
There is also a lot for Fatma to do in the Sahrawi refugee camps. In addition to the ongoing program for children and young people in the Smara refugee camp, terre des hommes schweiz supports a small project initiated by her. Here, young people learn the craft of journalism and how to use new media. In this way, a young generation is growing up that is prepared to make the injustice and complex aspects of this forgotten conflict visible. Despite everything, this gives Fatma Moulay confidence: "People live here who decide every day anew not to give up hope. Because the day we lose hope would be the end of us."
Energy transition? Yes, but fair!
Around the world, the poorest sections of the population suffer the most from climate change, even though they did not cause it. From 1990 to 2019, the richest 1 % of the world's population emitted twice as much CO₂ as the poorer half. To prevent a catastrophe of planetary proportions, an immediate transition to renewable energy sources is essential. But this transition must be fair: respect international law, avoid conflicts and benefit the world's disadvantaged. That is why terre des hommes schweiz is campaigning for climate justice and a fair energy transition.
