Self-determination in the Western Sahara [Ressource électronique] : legal opportunities and political roadblocks

This article examines the interplay of international law and politics in the Western Sahara's struggle for self-determination. The law of self-determination, including the specific precepts for holding a referendum on independence in the Western Sahara, provided a framework within which political action and discourse were bounded. Political commitment at two levels international support for the underlying legal principles and the conflicting parties' political will to implement the legal solution - affected the outcome within (he international Jaw frame. Alternating periods of impasse and opportunity highlight the role of political change at both levels as a catalyst for moving towards the prescribed legal solution, Understanding how international law and politics interact is important as the concept of self-determination expands into broader and more complicated contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of International Peacekeeping (13533312) is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)