Page "Foreign relations of Morocco" Paragraph 18

From 1904 until 1975, Spain occupied the entire territory, which is divided into a northern portion, the Saguia el-Hamra, and a southern two-thirds, known as Río de Oro.

In 1973, the Polisario Front ( Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro ) formed to combat the Spanish occupation of the territory.

In November 1975, King Hassan mobilized 350, 000 unarmed Moroccan citizens in what came to be known as the " Green March " into Western Sahara.

The march was designed to both demonstrate and strengthen Moroccan claims to the territory.

On November 14 of the same year, Spain, Morocco, and Mauritania announced a tripartite agreement for an interim administration under which Spain agreed to share administrative authority with Morocco and Mauritania, leaving aside the question of sovereignty.

With the establishment of a Moroccan and Mauritanian presence throughout the territory, however, Spain's role in the administration of the Western Sahara ceased altogether.