how did the oau help to settle disputes between morocco and algeria
Algeria–Morocco relations
Guerrilla movements inside the Saharan territory , particularly the Polisario Front ( Frente Popular para la Liberación de Saguia el Hamra y Río de Oro ) , having fought for Saharan independence since 1973 , immediately proclaimed the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic ( SADR ) . Algeria recognized this new self - proclaimed state in 1976 , and has since pursued a determined diplomatic effort for international recognition of the territory ; it has also supplied food , matériel , and training to the guerrillas . In 1979 , after many years of extensive and fierce guerrilla warfare , Mauritania abandoned its territorial claims and withdrew . Morocco quickly claimed the territory relinquished by Mauritania . Once the SADR gained diplomatic recognition from the Organization of African Unity ( OAU ) and many other independent states , Morocco came under international pressure . As a result , the Moroccan government finally proposed a national referendum to determine the Saharan territory 's sovereignty in 1981 . The referendum was to be overseen by the OAU , but the proposal was quickly retracted by the King of Morocco when the OAU could not reach agreement over referendum procedures . In 1987 the Moroccan government again agreed to recognize the Polisario and to meet to `` discuss their grievances . '' Algeria stipulated a solitary precondition for restoration of diplomatic relations -- recognition of the Polisario and talks toward a definitive solution to the Western Saharan quagmire . Without a firm commitment from the King of Morocco , Algeria conceded and resumed diplomatic relations with Morocco in 1988 . 
Guerrilla movements inside the Saharan territory , particularly the Polisario Front ( Frente Popular para la Liberación de Saguia el Hamra y Río de Oro ) , having fought for Saharan independence since 1973 , immediately proclaimed the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic ( SADR ) . Algeria recognized this new self - proclaimed state in 1976 , and has since pursued a determined diplomatic effort for international recognition of the territory ; it has also supplied food , matériel , and training to the guerrillas . In 1979 , after many years of extensive and fierce guerrilla warfare , Mauritania abandoned its territorial claims and withdrew . Morocco quickly claimed the territory relinquished by Mauritania . Once the SADR gained diplomatic recognition from the Organization of African Unity ( OAU ) and many other independent states , Morocco came under international pressure . As a result , the Moroccan government finally proposed a national referendum to determine the Saharan territory 's sovereignty in 1981 . The referendum was to be overseen by the OAU , but the proposal was quickly retracted by the King of Morocco when the OAU could not reach agreement over referendum procedures . In 1987 the Moroccan government again agreed to recognize the Polisario and to meet to `` discuss their grievances . '' Algeria stipulated a solitary precondition for restoration of diplomatic relations -- recognition of the Polisario and talks toward a definitive solution to the Western Saharan quagmire . Without a firm commitment from the King of Morocco , Algeria conceded and resumed diplomatic relations with Morocco in 1988 .
Once the SADR gained diplomatic recognition from the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and many other independent states, Morocco came under international pressure. In 1987 the Moroccan government again agreed to recognize the Polisario and to meet to ``discuss their grievances''. Algeria stipulated a solitary precondition for restoration of diplomatic relations - recognition of the Polisario and talks toward a definitive solution to the Western Saharan quagmire. Without a firm commitment from the King of Morocco, Algeria conceded and resumed diplomatic relations with Morocco in 1988.
Once the SADR gained diplomatic recognition from the Organization of African Unity ( OAU ) and many other independent states , Morocco came under international pressure . In 1987 the Moroccan government again agreed to recognize the Polisario and to meet to `` discuss their grievances . '' Algeria stipulated a solitary precondition for restoration of diplomatic relations -- recognition of the Polisario and talks toward a definitive solution to the Western Saharan quagmire . Without a firm commitment from the King of Morocco , Algeria conceded and resumed diplomatic relations with Morocco in 1988 .