The Madrid Accords were a significant political agreement that formally ended Spain's colonial rule over Western Sahara. These accords were signed on November 14, 1975, by representatives of Spain, Morocco, and Mauritania. As part of the arrangements, Spain recognized Morocco's and Mauritania's claims to territorial control, which was largely propelled by Morocco's historical and geographic connections to the region. The shift in control was fueled by the rise of nationalist sentiments demanding self-determination and decolonization across Africa, which pressured Spain, facing its own domestic challenges, to expedite the process of relinquishing its colonial holdings.

These accords did not specify a clear framework for the future of Western Sahara, leading to significant complications. The Polisario Front, a nationalist group advocating for the independence of the Sahrawi people, opposed the accords vehemently, viewing them as a betrayal of their rights. The subsequent resistance led to armed conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front. Additionally, the lack of a referendum for self-determination further complicated the situation, leading to ongoing tensions and political strife.

The Madrid Accords set in motion a series of events that have continued to influence the landscape of North African politics. The failure to achieve a peaceful resolution to the territorial dispute has had lasting implications, including continued hostilities, refugee crises, and complex diplomatic relations within the region and beyond. As such, the accords remain a pivotal moment in the history of decolonization and the struggle for self-determination in the Sahara region.