Western Sahara cease-fire and referendum proposed

August 27, 1981

African leaders produced a plan to end the five-year war between Morocco and Polisario guerrillas in the Western Sahara, providing for a cease-fire in the territory and a referendum on its future. The plan, drawn up by a special Organization of African Unity committee, was an apparent attempt to narrow differences between the warning parties.

The two sides have agreed to a referendum to decide whether the people of the Western Sahara want independence or integration with Morocco, but they are still divided over how the voting should be conducted.