Published 2024 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Western Sahara War Archives, between archives and GIS: how to map a war remotely

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Universidade do Porto Centro de Estudos Africanos

Abstract (English)

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive study on the II Western Sahara War, leveraging GIS and historical cartography to monitor and analyse the conflict remotely. Data collected from military communiques are standardized and analysed. Between November 2020 and November 2023, 4,306 attacks were recorded, with a noted decline in frequency, attributed to the efficacy of Morocco’s defensive strategies. This work underscores the critical role of physical geography, particularly the challenging desert environment, in shaping military strategies and outcomes. The study also delves into guerrilla tactics employed by the POLISARIO Front, emphasizing the importance of rapid, flexible operations and the use of local knowledge and support. The findings provide a detailed overview of the conflict dynamics in Western Sahara and illustrate the potential of GIS and historical cartography in conflict monitoring and analysis.

 

Keywords: Historical Cartography, Western Sahara, GIS, Western Sahara War Archives

Abstract (Spanish)

Resumen:

Este articulo presenta un estudio exhaustivo sobre la Guerra del Sahara Occidental, en el que se aprovechan los SIG y la cartografia historica para seguir y analizar el conflicto a distancia. Se normalizan y analizan los datos recogidos de los comunicados militares. Entre noviembre de 2020 y noviembre de 2023, se registraron 4.306 ataques, con una notable disminucion de la frecuencia, atribuida a la eficacia de las estrategias defensivas de Marruecos. Este trabajo subraya el papel fundamental de la geografia fisica, en particular el dificil entorno desertico, en la configuracion de las estrategias y los resultados militares. El estudio tambien profundiza en las tacticas de guerrilla empleadas por el Frente POLISARIO, destacando la importancia de las operaciones rapidas y flexibles y el uso de conocimientos y apoyo locales. Las conclusiones ofrecen una vision detallada de la dinamica del conflicto en el Sahara Occidental e ilustran el potencial de los SIG y la cartografia historica en el seguimiento y analisis de conflictos.

Palabras claves: Cartografia historica, Sahara Occidental, SIG, Archivos de la Guerra del Sahara Occidental

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Additional details

Identifiers

URL
https://tifaritiuniversity-wsrc.com/?page_id=3514

Related works

Cites
Dataset: https://armstransfers.sipri.org/ArmsTransfer/ (URL)
Continues
Working paper: https://www.africanos.eu/images/publicacoes/working_papers/WP_2022_2.pdf (URL)
References
Other: https://westernsaharawararchive.com/ (URL)

Dates

Issued
2024

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