Politics & Government Guide · Western SaharaPolitics & Government Guide in Western Sahara
Political system, governance structure, stability indicators, and democratic institutions
Western Sahara remains a disputed territory with no settled final status, and governance is split between Moroccan administration over most of the area and the Polisario Front's Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic claim over the rest. The most current political dynamics in 2024-2026 are shaped by continued international debate over Morocco's autonomy proposal, while the UN still regards the territory as non-self-governing.
Corruption Index
Below Average
Democracy Index
Below Average
Government Type
Disputed territory with competing administrations: Moroccan-administered parliamentary monarchy in most of the territory and Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic claim over the remainder
Legal System
Moroccan-administered areas use Morocco's civil law system based on French law and Islamic law, while the territory's overall legal status remains unresolved under international law.
Head of State
King Mohammed VI(since 1999)
Head of Government
Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch(National Rally of Independents)since 2021
Political Indicators
Corruption Index
Scale: 0-100
Transparency International (2024)
Press Freedom
Scale: 0-100
Reporters Without Borders (2025)
Democracy Index
Scale: 0-10
Authoritarian
Economist Intelligence Unit (2024)
Legislature
Major Political Parties
Center-right
Center-right
Center-right
Islamist, conservative
Voting Rights
In Moroccan-administered areas, Moroccan citizens can vote in national and local elections; Sahrawis living there participate in Moroccan political institutions. In the SADR-controlled area and refugee camps, political participation is organized through Polisario Front institutions and does not provide broadly recognized sovereign electoral rights.
Recent Developments
- France said in 2024 that it supports Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara within the framework of autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty.
- The United Kingdom reiterated in 2024 that Morocco's autonomy proposal is the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution.
- The UN continued in 2024 and 2025 to treat Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory, with final status unresolved.
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