Canary Islands Urge EU to Counter Morocco’s Growing Influence in West Africa
Morocco’s growing ties with the United States and Israel are worrying the Canary Islands government. Faced with its neighbor’s growing clout in the Atlantic and West Africa, the regional executive is asking the European Union to bolster its diplomatic presence and investment.
This position appears in a response to Mario Cabrera, a member of parliament from Coalición Canaria, reported on Monday, October 5, by Atlántico Hoy. Dated September 21 and published by Parliament on September 30, the document describes a Morocco whose alliances are strengthening its military capabilities as well as its economic influence near the archipelago.
On Bladi.net : Dakhla Atlantique: the Moroccan port that seriously worries the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands government is particularly monitoring defense cooperation with Washington and the technologies supplied by Israel: surveillance, air defense and intelligence. It places this closer relationship in the context of the United States’ recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara in 2020 and the normalization of ties between Rabat and Israel.
For the islands, the concern is focused mainly on economic competition. The executive cites ports, logistics, tourism, renewable energy and fishing among the sectors in which Moroccan ambitions could alter regional balances.
Dakhla, a competitor also attracting Washington
The future port of Dakhla features prominently in this analysis. The Canary Islands government expects it to become operational in 2028 and sees it as a competitor set to grow in importance. The infrastructure is intended to give Morocco a new maritime gateway to West Africa, along with industrial and logistics activities.
The project is also of interest to the Americans. On September 1, the U.S. Embassy announced the visit of senior military officials to Dakhla Atlantique. Their discussions covered maritime infrastructure, regional connectivity and shared security priorities. An economic and political delegation had already visited the site on August 15.
This series of visits comes as Canary Islands concerns about the port date back several years. As early as 2019, its development was raising concerns in the archipelago about competition for maritime activities.
In its response, the regional government also stresses the need to preserve cooperation with Rabat. It points to results achieved in tackling irregular migration, while saying that mass arrivals in Sebta have strained relations between the neighbors.
It is in this context that it is calling for “more Europe in West Africa.” The executive is seeking investment, a stronger diplomatic presence and a European policy that engages with African countries beyond migration arrivals alone. It proposes that the Canary Islands serve as a base for this presence.
