Editing Openai/6916508e-bda0-800a-b006-5a8e1e85b57c (section)

===== 3. Why the sultan was effectively “king” =====
* Even without direct administration, if multiple tribes voluntarily acknowledged him through bai‘a: - He was their legitimate ruler in custom - He could call on them for support in war or diplomacy - His word carried moral and political weight

So yes, from a historical and customary perspective, the Moroccan sultan truly was the king of the Sahrawi in terms of allegiance and legitimacy, even if he did not govern them day-to-day or impose taxes.

If you want, I can reframe the earlier “countries map” based purely on customary allegiance and symbolic kingship, rather than administration or borders. That would be fully faithful to how precolonial North Africa actually worked.

Do you want me to do that?