Diplomat’s Warnings Averted 1975 Spain-Morocco Conflict Over Western Sahara

The three decisive letters from Ambassador Martín-Gamero to the then President of the Government, Arias Carlos, are dated June 6, July 11 and October 14, 1975. The first two are prior to the Green March, while the last one coincides with the call for it. It was sent two days before the International Court of Justice in The Hague confirmed the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination in accordance with UN Resolution 1514, according to El Debate.

To read: Spain Shifts Stance on Western Sahara, Aims to Play Active Role in Conflict Resolution

In these three letters, the diplomat conveys the same message to the head of government: avoid the fall of King Hassan II and prevent the Green March in order not to open an armed conflict with Morocco. Even if, at the time, Spain had the means to win this war, it would have suffered serious consequences, as it would have been condemned by the United Nations for shooting at allegedly unarmed civilians during the Green March. Also, King Juan Carlos, who had just ascended the throne, would have had to manage a crisis with Morocco. The best thing to do was therefore to cede the Sahara to Morocco.

President Arias Carlos Navarro followed his ambassador’s advice in Rabat to the letter. He sent his Minister-Secretary General of the Movement, Solís, to negotiate with Hassan II to stop the Green March and, later, his Minister of the Presidency, Antonio Carro, to prepare the Sahara cession agreements, which were signed in Madrid during the week of Franco’s death.

To read: Spain Signals Shift in Western Sahara Policy, Potentially Aligning with Morocco

More than forty years later, the Sahara continues to be claimed by Morocco, which has succeeded in getting Spain to recognize its sovereignty over this territory. On Friday, the Moroccan royal cabinet said in a statement that President Pedro Sanchez, through a letter addressed to King Mohammed VI, has decided to support the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara. A decision condemned by the Polisario Front, Algeria and Spanish political parties, both from the governing coalition and the opposition.