EU Commission’s Legal Gymnastics Fail as Court Upholds Western Sahara Rulings

EU Commission’s attempt to bend legal reality by requesting a “rectification” of the European Court of Justice’s ruling on Western Sahara has once again failed. The European Commission — backed by France and Spain — tried to blur the line between the native Saharawi people and the Moroccan-installed population, seemingly hoping that a demographic shuffle would justify the EU-Morocco trade and fisheries deals. But the Court wasn’t having it. On January 15, 2025, it rejected the Commission’s request, affirming that the Saharawi people, the rightful holders of self-determination, remain largely displaced — and no amount of legal contortionism can change that.

This maneuver exposes the EU’s true priorities: not upholding international law, but rather protecting its sweetheart deals with Morocco. While publicly claiming to “analyze” the ruling, the Commission privately sought to alter it, conveniently omitting this fact from discussions with EU Parliamentarians. This deception exposed the Commission’s willingness to sidestep legal and ethical obligations in favor of economic and political expediency. If Western Sahara’s consent cannot be bought, the Commission’s next best strategy seems to be redefining who gets to give it.

With the Court’s ruling standing firm, the EU now faces a choice: comply with international law or continue its political charade. The rejection of the rectification request blocks any backdoor attempts to rubber-stamp Morocco’s exploitation of Western Sahara’s resources. For the displaced Saharawi people, this decision is a rare but a significant legal victory — one that reminds the EU that colonial-era tactics have no place in modern geopolitics. If Brussels wants to stand for justice, it’s time to stop the doublespeak and start respecting the rights of the Saharawi people.