Informal talks between the parties involved in the dispute over the Western Sahara will take place on February 10 and 11 in Westchester, New York.

The talks have been set up to discuss progress on the Security Resolution 1871 made in April of last year. Since 1991, the United Nations has taken measures to mediate the conflict between Morocco and Frente Polisario over the disputed territory, however, Morocco, Mauritania, Algeria, and the Frente Polisario Front, continue to experience economic problems due to the amount of displaced persons in the Western Sahara.

Often overlooked by government officials, the Western Sahara conflict remains one of Africa's oldest conflicts, rooted in deep social, political, and economic frustrations stemming from the colonialism that took place over a century ago. After Spanish occupation began in 1884, political tensions began to slowly rise. In 1973 the Polisario Movement led a violent resistance against Morocco in the Western Sahara, resulting in the division of the territory between Morocco and Mauritania.

In 1991, the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) was mandated by the Security Council. This settlement plan ensured that efforts were made to implement a ceasefire, reduce the threat of mines in the buffer zone, and reduce the amount of troops in the territory. Julie Myers, programme officer of UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) explained to MediaGlobal, "UNMAS has been assisting in MINURSO's response to the mine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) threat in the territory since 2005."

Furthermore, MINURSO prepared for a referendum in which the people of the Western Sahara would be able to choose independence or integration with Morocco. Unfortunately, Morocco and Frente Polisario have determined that an agreement on the matter to be too costly for both sides and would rather endure unfavorable economic conditions than make compromises.

Despite the progress made by MINURSO to implement a ceasefire, the settlement plan also intends on providing support for confidence-building measures for the tens of thousands of displaced Saharawi people of the Western Sahara. While progress has been substantial parts of the referendum have yet to be implemented. Enrico Magnani, Information Officer of MINURSO tells MediaGlobal "MINURSO at the moment is tasked to monitor the ceasefire between Morocco and Frente Polisario forces. The referendum-related part of the mission activities is, for the time being, suspended." The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) is among the organizations assisting MINURSO in carrying out tasks related to the referendum.

For the Saharawi people, they live in a state of transition, where poverty, malnutrition, and drug trafficking are rampant. According to a 2002 study conducted in collaboration with the UNHCR and the World Food Programme (WFP,) there are some 155,430 Saharawi people living spread out among refugee camps in Tindouf and Southwest Algeria since 1975. The UNHCR Anthropometric and Micronutrient Nutrition Survey for refugees living in the Tindouf camps found that acute global malnutrition for children ages 6 to 9 months was 10.6 percent and in children 12 to 23 months, anemia was found in 35.3 percent. UNHCR and WFP programs have attempted to provide food aid and also facilitate communication between the refugee camps, providing transportation for refugees to visit their families and a free telephone service between the camps.

Despite launching programs to assist refugees, the economic conditions of the Western Sahara remain stagnant. According to a 2007 report on the Cost of Conflict conducted by the International Crisis group, Moroccan financial liabilities include a military budget, tax revenue, higher salaries for civil servants, and a higher investment in the southern provinces. In Algeria, the economy suffers due to refugee aid and donation of military equipment. Overall, these financial shortfalls hinder the development of he Arab Maghreb Union, which is a trade agreement seeking to fortify economic and political unity of the region.

While the referendum part of MINURSO is still in the process of being implemented, programs to improve the situation of the refugees in the Western Sahara may help restore the overall economic development by encouraging foreign investment, boosting economic integration, and speeding up rates of growth.