Pedro Sanchez expected in Morocco to turn the page on the crisis in Western Sahara

The President of the Spanish government Pedro Sanchez during a press conference near Madrid, August 21, 2021. AFP - JAVIER SORIANO

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The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, is making a two-day official visit to Rabat this Thursday, April 7.

He will meet King Mohamed VI there and will be his host at Iftar, the breaking of the fast, which is interpreted as a “sign of friendship”.

This visit responds to an official invitation sent last week by the Moroccan king.

It aims to turn the page on the diplomatic crisis that lasted nearly a year between the two countries and especially after the historic change in Madrid's position on Western Sahara. 

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Spain, the first trading partner of the Cherifian Kingdom, is reaping the fruits of its position announced last month, namely its support for the autonomy plan for Western Sahara proposed by Rabat. 

Like Washington, Madrid now finds that this autonomy plan is a “

 serious, realistic and credible

 ” basis for a peaceful solution to this disputed territory claimed by the Polisario Front which, supported by Algeria, is calling for its independence.  

To read: Western Sahara: Spain announces its support for Morocco's proposals

The crisis between Morocco and Spain was triggered last April when Polisario leader Brahim Ghali, Rabat's sworn enemy, was discreetly transferred to Spain for treatment.

In response, Morocco recalled its ambassador and took other restrictive measures against Madrid.

The normalization of relations with Rabat has the main goal for Madrid to ensure its cooperation in controlling illegal immigration.

Rabat has been regularly accused of using migrants as leverage on Madrid.  

The visit should notably allow the resumption of maritime connections between the two countries, suspended during the crisis.

The Spanish executive also hopes that Rabat will tone down its claim to the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, but many observers warn of the absence of real guarantees that Spain could obtain.

To read: Western Sahara: why is Spain ending its neutrality?

Leaving the Sahara to Morocco seems to me to be a betrayal of this people who once had Spanish identity documents and who have been fighting for independence for many years.

It seems petty to me.

Pedro Sanchez's visit to Morocco is not unanimous in Spain

Francois Musseau

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  • Spain

  • Morocco

  • Western Sahara

  • pedro sanchez

  • Mohammad VI