Spain's new position on Western Sahara 'shameful': Polisario Front

Spain's new position on Western Sahara 'shameful': Polisario Front
According to the Spanish newspaper EPE, Madrid's support for the Moroccan autonomy plan on Western Sahara came in exchange for Rabat's commitment to waive its demand for Ceuta, Melilla, and the Canary Islands.
3 min read
21 March, 2022
"They want to give what they do not own to those who do not deserve it," said Polisario leader Brahim Ghali. [Getty]

The Polisario Front, the Sahrawi's self-proclaimed government-in-exile, has Spain's new position regardingWestern Sahara afterMadrid announced Friday its support for Morocco's autonomy plan to end a six-decade-long conflict over the disputed territory.

Since decolonising the territory in 1975, Spain has tried to appear neutral on the issue.

However,Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares on Friday Rabat's 2007 proposal to offer Western Sahara autonomy within Morocco was the "most serious, realistic and credible basis."

In 2006,Morocco its autonomy plan for the territory, whichis supposed to allow Sahrawis to run their affairs "", through legislative, executive, and judicial bodies, while Morocco retains control over the defence and foreign relations.

The UN has backed the plan, but the Polisario Front, which continues to call for an independent state for Sahrawis,Rabat's proposal.

In a recorded speech, The Polisario Front's president Brahim Ghali saidthat Spain's new position is "unfortunate"and "shameful."

"With this attitude, the Spanish state repeats the betrayal it committed, in 1975, when it illegally and illegitimately divided Western Sahara and all its people through the disastrous Madrid Agreements,"added Ghali in a recorded speech, broadcasted yesterday on Algerian state TV.

Amidst the end of Spain's colonialempire,Madrid with Morocco and Mauritania the Madrid Agreements in 1975, in whichMorocco acquired thenorthern two-thirdsof the territory, while Mauritania acquiredthe southern third.

The agreement was bitterly opposed by the Polisario Front, which considered it simply substitution one colonisation processto another.

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During his speech, Ghali has also compared Madrid's new position with Washington'srecognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the territory, saying "they want to give what they do not own to those who do not deserve it."

Late in 2020, the US recognised Morocco's sovereignty over the disputed territory in exchange for the kingdom's normalisation with Israel.

According to the Spanish newspaper , Madrid's support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for Western Sahara came in an exchange for Rabat's commitment to waive the demand for Ceuta, Melilla, and the Canary Islands.Moroccocalls them the occupied "Sebtah and Melilah."

Despite Rabat'scontinual demand of their return, its to regain control over themhas been lukewarm at best, and nothing like its aggressive drive to control theWestern Sahara.

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A "win-win" agreement was reached after eight months of continuous and intense negotiations that involved Mohamed VI, the Spanish King Felipe VI, andPedro Sánchez, Spain's prime minister.

In April 2021, ties between Madrid and Rabat hit a low when Spain allowed Polisario leader Brahim Ghali into Spanish soil for medical treatment. Rabat reacted furiously, recallingits ambassador fromMadrid.

The following month, Spain was caught off guard when more than ,including an estimated 2,000 minors, stormed Cueta borders. Crammed boats with men, women, and children crossed the border, while many other migrants were pictured swimming desperately or even paddling across the fences.

Spain Morocco ofdeliberately putting thousands of lives at risk in order to blackmail Madridduring the diplomatic dispute.

Morocco reportedly itsambassador to Madrid Sunday after reconciliation.