Western Sahara decolonization push by UN chief Guterres on 16 territories
By: Abudu Olalekan
UN Boss Guterres: Time to End Western Sahara’s Colonial Ghost Story
Monday morning, UN chamber. Hushed. António Guterres steps up, not in stiff diplomat mode, but like he’s gotta tell us something real. He hits the mic: “This organisation was created as a place where nations can meet as equals, not as rulers and ruled.” Yeah. Simple. But damn, it’s been 60 years since the UN kicked off its decolonisation drive, and here we are. Still talking about it. Colonialism’s shadow? It’s not just history homework—it’s right there in today’s racism, the way some countries get shut out of big decisions, economies still rigged for old masters. Guterres didn’t sugarcoat it. He leaned forward, voice low: “Legacy left scars. Deep ones.”
Let’s cut to the chase. The C-24 committee—set up back in ’61—was meant to watch over places still stuck in colonial limbo. Chapter XI of the UN Charter, that 1960 Declaration about “granting independence”… it’s all paperwork, honestly. But Guterres reminded everyone: it’s not ticking boxes. It’s about people. Western Sahara? 16 other spots—mostly tiny islands in the Caribbean and Pacific. Nearly two million folks waiting. Since 1945, over 80 colonies broke free. 750 million people. That’s progress. But these 17? Still on the list. Western Sahara’s the big one—Africa’s last colony, they call it. Spain bailed in ’76, called it Spanish Sahara, and poof! Instant mess. Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania all jumped in. Now? Morocco controls most of it, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) holds a sliver from exile in Algeria. Families split by a berm. Kids who’ve never seen their homeland.
Guterres didn’t just recite facts. He got passionate. “Each case needs its own talk,” he said. “No copy-paste solutions. Gotta listen to the territories themselves, not just the powers holding them.” He name-dropped the UN Charter like it was common sense—“Follow the rules, people!”—but you could tell he’s frustrated. Decolonisation’s “unfinished business,” he called it. Funny how “unfinished” sounds so casual when it’s literally about freedom.
He urged inclusive talks: territories, colonisers, UN members, everyone. No skipping steps. Remember that 1960 Declaration? It’s the bible here. But Guterres made it feel urgent. “This isn’t academic,” he seemed to say without saying it. “Real lives hang in the balance.” Western Sahara’s especially thorny. Trump brokered talks recently—Morocco says they’ll “end the war,” whatever that means. SADR’s government-in-exile? Still waiting. The UN’s been trying since Spain left. Decades. And yet… here we are. Two million people. One continent’s last colony.
Honestly? It’s wild. We’ve got AI writing essays, rockets landing themselves, but some places still can’t vote on their own future. Guterres wrapped it up calm but firm: “Equality isn’t a gift. It’s the point.” No jargon. Just truth. As he left the podium, a delegate from Fiji nodded slow. Like, yeah. Finally.
The push isn’t new. But hearing it from the top? Feels different. Like maybe, just maybe, this time it sticks. Reportersroom will keep watching. Because decolonisation isn’t a checkbox. It’s a promise. And promises? They’re meant to be kept.
