Anger over Spain’s switch on the Western Sahara
PM accused of ‘sacrificing’ the Saharan people for better relations with Morocco
A RADICAL change in policy over former Spanish colony, the Western Sahara, has led to fierce criticism of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez from inside and outside his coalition government.
This sparsely-populated area of mostly desert on the north-west coast of Africa was annexed by Morocco in 1975, leading to a long-running conflict between Morocco and its indigenous Saharawi people, led by the Polisario Front.
A United Nations-brokered truce in 1991 brought the promise of a referendum on independence, which has yet to take place.
A mined buffer strip separates the Moroccan-administered western portion from the eastern area controlled by the Polisario Front.
In a bid to ease tensions with Morocco, Spain has for the first time recognised their plan for governing Western Sahara, in which they would allow the disputed territory to run their own administration, but under Moroccan sovereignty and with Rabat in charge of defence and foreign affairs.
In response, second deputy prime minister, Yolanda Díaz, who is a member of Unidas Podemos – the minority party in the government – accused Socialist party (PSOE) PM Sánchez of being ‘incoherent’ and operating ‘secretly’.
Sra Díaz, who is normally reluctant to criticise Sr Sánchez in public, stated that her party had not been consulted over the U-turn.
She said they did not agree with the decision or the way the situation had been handled.
The minister for work stated that as coalition partners, she and her colleagues should have been consulted, noting that any such ‘integral policy’ should be discussed by the two parties.
She also reminded that Spain has to abide by UN resolutions, without directly referring to the promise of a referendum on independence in the Western Sahara.
The Podemos party was more outspoken, with spokesperson Isa Serra accusing the Socialists of ‘sacrificing the Saharan people’.
“We do not understand how they can defend the human rights of Ukrainian people while they are giving away the human rights of the Saharan people,” she said.
However, Sra Díaz said that it would ‘irresponsible’ to break their pact of government with the PSOE over the issue.
Parties from both the left and right have called on the Prime Minister to appear in Parliament to give an explanation over the change in national policy.
Meanwhile, foreign minister José Manuel Albares expressed Spain’s support for the UN mission for the Western Sahara which is ‘trying to find a mutually acceptable solution’ to the conflict.
He said that Morocco’s autonomy plan would provide a ‘credible basis’ for a resolution of the Western Sahara question.
Better - and worse - relations
The move by Spain has already allowed for a dramatic improvement in relations with Morocco, which hit rock bottom last year when the leader of the Polisario Front, Brahim Ghali was permitted to have treatment for a serious condition related to Covid-19 in a Spanish hospital.
At the time, Morocco recalled its ambassador to protest against Madrid’s decision and then was seen to allow thousands of migrants to descend on the Spanish enclave of Melilla, which is separated from Morocco by a wall and fences.
Morocco is an important ally for Spain in North Africa, and essential for its fight against illegal migration and drug smuggling.
The announcement from the government has led to the return of Morocco’s ambassador, Karima Benyaich, almost a year after she was withdrawn.
She said: “It is a pleasure to return to Madrid and strengthen relations between Spain and Morocco.”
However, while Spain has placated one strategic ally in the Mahgreb, it has angered another – Algeria, traditional supporter of the Saharan people and currently involved in a protracted dispute with neighbor Morocco.
The Algerian government has now withdrawn its ambassador from Spain and heavily criticised Sr Sañchez’s decision.
Spain receives nearly half of its gas supply from Algeria but first deputy PM Nadia Calviño stated this week that the agreement to provide the fossil fuel is not in jeopardy.
The Saharan Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), declared by the Polisario Front in 1976 in the Western Sahara, is now recognised by many governments and is a full member of the African Union.
According to the BBC, it is home to phosphate reserves and rich fishing grounds off its coast.
It is also believed to have as yet untapped offshore oil deposits.