Gilles Devers, the French lawyer known for defending the self-declared Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) (a separatist entity that has not been recognized by any international body) has died at the age of 72 after a long illness.
Devers was a key figure in the legal battles of the SADR, a separatist group seeking independence for the Sahara, which remains a disputed territory under Moroccan control.
His most notable work involved representing the entity in European courts, where he succeeded earlier this year in getting a court to “nullify” trade agreements between the European Union and Morocco, particularly in cases relating to the economic uses of Sahara.
While these legal victories were seen as wins for SADR supporters, they have had little effect on Morocco’s sovereignty over the region.
Despite Devers’ efforts to garner international recognition for the so-called SADR, the entity remains unrecognized by the United Nations and the broader international community. The death of this staunch advocate for separatism is considered by many to be a setback for the SADR’s ambitions.
In contrast, Morocco views this as a reaffirmation of its position as the legitimate authority in the Sahara, especially with the continued support of international bodies that recognize its territorial claims.
Devers was also known for his strong advocacy of the Palestinian cause. He was involved in numerous legal and political efforts aimed at challenging Israel’s policies and actions, advocating for Palestinian rights in international courts.
While his defense of Palestine garnered significant attention from supporters of Palestinian nationalism, it also placed him in opposition to Israel and its allies, including many European states.
Although the SADR and its supporters mourn the loss of their prominent defender, the broader geopolitical landscape indicates little to no shift in favor of their cause.