Despite clear rulings by the Court of Justice of the European Union affirming that Western Sahara is not part of Morocco, the exploitation of the territory’s natural resources continues under new and misleading labels.

Following the EU Court’s demand to exclude Western Sahara from EU–Morocco trade agreements, Moroccan authorities and affiliated exporters have increasingly marketed products from the occupied territory under the regional name “Dakhla–Oued Eddahab.” This deliberate rebranding avoids explicitly naming Western Sahara, obscuring the true origin of these goods and undermining the spirit and letter of international law.

One clear example is the export of tomatoes grown in Dakhla, a city located in occupied Western Sahara. By labeling these products as originating from “Dakhla–Oued Eddahab,” exporters mask the reality that these goods come from a non-self-governing territory whose people have not consented to the exploitation of their land and resources.

This practice is not a technical oversight—it is a political strategy. It allows continued access to European markets while sidestepping legal accountability and denying consumers the right to transparent information. It also directly contradicts EU legal standards, United Nations principles, and the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination.

The issue is no longer just about trade—it is about ethics, transparency, and complicity. European institutions, importers, and retailers must take responsibility by enforcing clear origin labeling and ensuring that products from occupied territories are not laundered through misleading geographic terms.

Western Sahara’s resources cannot be exploited through rebranding. The law is clear. The facts are clear. What is now required is political will and enforcement.