Financial Crime World

Financial Crimes Statistics in Western Sahara on the Horizon: March-August 2024

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This article provides a snapshot into emerging financial crimes and crises in Western Sahara, identifying triggers, key dates to watch, and potential behavior of financial actors to support global anti-money laundering efforts.

Paving the Way to Financial Transparency in Western Sahara

Diplomats have struggled to broker financial cooperation over the disputed territory since late 2020, when a ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front broke down. If it steps up its engagement, Washington may be able to get the ball rolling on tracking illicit financial flows.

Washington Must Act at the UN on Western Sahara’s Financial Crisis

  • On March 29, the UN Security Council will vote on the renewal of its mission in Western Sahara.
  • The low-intensity fighting in Western Sahara has seen a surge in financial crimes, yet outside powers would be wrong to assume that it will not escalate.
  • With U.S. support, the new UN envoy should pursue confidence-building measures that could facilitate anti-money laundering efforts.

Europe’s Balancing Act in Western Sahara’s Financial Sector

Experts Intissar Fakir and Riccardo Fabiani join Hugh Pope to ask whether Morocco holds a winning hand in its conflict with the Polisario Front, as Europe looks on timidly, wary of direct challenges to the regional power’s financial institutions.

Relaunching Anti-Money Laundering Efforts over Western Sahara

  • The UN should fill its empty special envoy post.
  • The U.S. should lead international efforts to restart diplomacy.
  • Clashes have broken out in Western Sahara, ending a 30-year ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front.

Time for International Re-engagement in Western Sahara’s Financial Sector

  • Fighting could intensify absent outside help, and financial crimes could become more brazen.
  • The UN should fill its empty special envoy post.
  • The U.S. should lead international efforts to restart diplomacy.

Trump’s Transaction on Western Sahara’s Financial Sector

This week on “Hold Your Fire!”, Rob Malley and guest host Richard Atwood talk with Dahlia Scheindlin and Crisis Group’s North Africa Project Director Riccardo Fabiani about the normalization of relations between Israel and Morocco and the accompanying U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.

The Youth Movement in Sahrawi Refugee Camps’ Financial Struggles

  • Refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria, have long been run by the Polisario movement, which seeks an independent state in Western Sahara.
  • But a new generation of Sahrawi refugees is growing fractious as aid dwindles and diplomatic efforts fail to deliver a financial settlement.