Though it has not recieved much attention in the West, the continuing conflict in Western Sahara has claimed many lives and caused much heartache for residents of the area. There the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic has fought the Morrocan government that claims control of the same piece of land. Neither side appears willing to compromise despite the repeated efforts of the United Nations and Spain to settle the conflict. The West must now show strong support for the UN mission to Western Sahara which has been struggling for six years to organize a referendum, in order to preserve stability in North Africa.