The United Nations observes the Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories annually between May 25-31. This initiative aims to highlight the ongoing struggle for self-determination in these regions. Currently, 17 territories remain on the UN's list of non-self-governing territories, with Western Sahara (الصحراء الغربية) identified as the largest and most prominent among them. Western Sahara is also recognized as the most famous of these territories. Other territories currently on the list include Anguilla (أنغويلا), Bermuda (برمودا), and the British Virgin Islands (جزر فرجن البريطانية).
The List of Territories
The list of Non-Self-Governing Territories was established in 1963 by a resolution of the Decolonization Committee and subsequently approved by the General Assembly. This initial list featured 64 territories, reflecting a significant global push towards decolonization in the mid-20th century. Over the decades, many territories have achieved self-governance through various means, including independence, free association, or integration with an independent state. However, approximately seventeen small territories still have the right to self-determination and must be cleared of colonial remnants, as registered with the UN Fourth Committee.
Currently, the 17 territories remaining on the list include: Western Sahara in Africa; Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Montserrat, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. Other listed territories are Bermuda, an Atlantic Ocean archipelago, the Falkland Islands – Malvinas –, and Saint Helena in the Atlantic Ocean. Gibraltar, located in Spain, also remains on the list. In the Pacific Ocean, the territories are American Samoa, French Polynesia, Guam, New Caledonia, Pitcairn Islands, and Tokelau.
Western Sahara's Persistent Struggle
Western Sahara stands out as the sole territory on the UN's list where its people have engaged in continuous revolution and resistance since 1973, explicitly demanding self-determination. This sustained effort has kept the issue prominent on the international agenda. The people of Western Sahara have maintained their demand for self-determination without interruption for over five decades. This unique and persistent struggle distinguishes it from other territories where the path to decolonization has taken different forms or progressed at a varied pace. Despite Morocco's administrative presence, Spain, not Morocco, submits an annual report to the UN Decolonization Committee concerning Western Sahara. This reporting obligation is a requirement under international law for administering powers, reflecting the territory's unresolved status. The ongoing situation notes the unique position of Western Sahara among the non-self-governing territories, showing the international community's continued recognition of its distinct status.
Why Others Fade
Approximately seventeen small territories still retain the right to self-determination and require decolonization, according to records with the UN Fourth Committee. Most of these territories are small islands located in the Caribbean, Atlantic, or Pacific Oceans. Only Western Sahara and Gibraltar are situated on landmasses, distinguishing them geographically from the majority. Western Sahara is located on the Atlantic coast, while Gibraltar is positioned on the Mediterranean Sea. This geographical characteristic, combined with the continuous resistance, contributes to Western Sahara's sustained visibility and prominence on the UN's decolonization agenda. The continued focus on these remaining territories shows the UN's commitment to ensuring that all peoples of non-self-governing territories can exercise their right to self-determination.
