KPFA - Africa Today Africa Today – February 9, 2026
4 snips
Feb 9, 2026 Bill Fletcher, former TransAfrica Forum president and labor analyst, discusses Western Sahara, Moroccan motives, and regional tensions. He examines U.S. policy shifts after Trump, risks of wider Algeria-Morocco conflict, and propaganda against Sahrawi self-determination. Fletcher also connects African geopolitics to great power competition and reflects on the left’s approach to global conflicts.
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Ceasefire Collapse And Renewed Conflict
- Bill Fletcher explains Western Sahara's ceasefire collapsed in November 2020 after Moroccan forces attacked unarmed Sahrawi protesters.
- Frente Polisario declared the ceasefire over and resumed armed conflict against Moroccan occupation.
Phosphates And Fisheries Drive The Conflict
- Western Sahara holds large phosphate reserves crucial for agriculture and valuable coastal fisheries.
- Morocco seeks control largely for phosphates and rich fishing grounds.
Abraham Accords' Political Purpose
- The Abraham Accords aimed to isolate Palestinian support by normalizing Arab-Israeli ties and offering economic incentives.
- Morocco already had deep security ties with Israel, so the Accords mostly formalized existing relations.
