This book makes a scholarly contribution to an understanding of how the national boundaries bequeathed by the European powers divided the vernacular groups and of how one of the least populated areas of the world has come to be the scene of the contemporary conflict between the territorial claims of Morocco and those of the Western Saharans for their own independence. 309pp, UK. STACEY INTERNATIONAL.

2002 1986 1900988658 Hardback

Songs of the Saharaui people of North Africa. Brief commentary on the music in English, French and Spanish. 14 tracks: Mawal, Magat Milkitna Dulaa, La Tumchu Anni, Mutamaniyat, El Chouhada, Shauda, L'Intifada, Sbar, El Arabi, Kalat Leili, Tirka, El Magil, Jelefne Bi Salam and Mawal. 58:38 mins, SPAIN. NUBENEGRA.

A study of the geopolitical significance of Western Sahara to the US, Morocco and Algeria drawing out issues of natural resources, US/European competition for influence in the Maghreb and the UN failure to resolve Africa's last decolonisation issue. The author also looks at the right of the Sahrawis living in the area and the political development of Polisario. Index, notes, notes, map, 215pp, UK. ZED BOOKS, 1842773410

Third, revised edition of this comprehensive bibliography, BNS, 576pp, USA. SCARECROW.

A survey of what is at stake in the Western Sahara and the implications of the UN sponsored referendum on its future. Chapters survey recent initiatives and the role of organisations and persons from the UN, US, OAU. The book reviews the diplomatic efforts of the Saharawi, the Moroccan response, and Arab reactions. There appendices on diplomatic recognitions, important dates, bib, notes, maps, diagrams, French text, FRANCE. L'HARMATTAN, 2738489133

Now in paperback. The western Sahara is a baking hot and desolate place. On 28 August 1815 the US brig Commerce was dashed against Mauritania's Cape Bojador and lost, although the ship's captain, James Riley, managed to lead all of his crew to safety. What followed was an extraordinary and desperate battle for survival in the face of human hostility, hunger, dehydration and despair, as the crew were captured, robbed and enslaved. Over time Riley and Sidi Hamet, slave and captor, came to respect each other, so that the ransom of Riley and a handful of his crew suddenly seemed possible. Index, bib, apps, maps, 351pp, UK. ARROW.

Traces the evolution of the conflict from its colonial roots to its present manifestation as a political stalemate. Reviews the history of the dispute, describes the quest by the UN and interested states to facilitate a process of self determination through a referendum on independence versus integration with Morocco, and explores the impasse over how to determine who should be allowed to vote in such a referendum. Index, bib, 180pp, USA. LYNNE RIENNER.

Report that analyses why this territory, mainly covered by desert and only sparsely populated has since 1976 when the former colonial power Spain left the territory, engaged governments and people, both regionally and internationally, and the implications of its natural resources. 30pp, SWEDEN. NORDIC AFRICA INSTITUTE.