Rhizome and Colonial Desire: Spain in Western Sahara

Abstract

Spain’s role in the colonization and decolonization of the territory can be described as schizophrenic in that the defense of the independence of Western Sahara has so far been argued on the grounds of its unresolved status as a Spanish colony. In order to regain the control of the territory, the Polisario vindicates its relation with Spain as a colonized people. Not surprisingly, unlike historiographic discourse, Spanish political discourse around Western Sahara seems to be structured in a rhizomatic manner. It is not only that opposite political parties may present opposite interpretations, but that the discourse of each of these parties often defends opposing positions simultaneously. In true Deleuzian fashion, Saharawi nationalism becomes the object of a discourse that often turns on itself.