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Morocco Demands Spain’s Support on Western Sahara for Diplomatic Thaw
Saturday 22 January 2022, by
Morocco remains willing to resume its relations with Spain, provided that the latter clearly expresses its support for the kingdom on the Sahara issue.
There will be no complete normalization of relations without a clear recognition by Spain of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara. This is at least the message conveyed, on Wednesday, by the Moroccan Prime Minister, Aziz Akhannouch, in a television interview given to the Al Oula and M2 channels on the occasion of his first 100 days at the head of the Executive. On Thursday, the government spokesman, Mustafa Baitas, mentioned the requirement for "a lot of clarity" from Spain on this crucial issue for Morocco.
King Mohammed VI had declared on November 6 last, on the occasion of the 46th anniversary of the Green March, that Morocco is "now entitled to expect from [its] partners more audacious and clear positions on the question of the territorial integrity of the Kingdom," recalled the head of the Executive and the government spokesman, specifying that the Moroccan monarch was thus warning his partners that there would be no trade relations without a recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara.
To read: Morocco Demands Clear Spanish Stance on Western Sahara Before Diplomatic Thaw
Morocco therefore continues to await this "gesture" from Spain, before any resumption of relations, reports La Razón, recalling that these statements by the Moroccan authorities come just a few days after the clearly expressed willingness of the King of Spain, Felipe VI, to "start a new bilateral relationship" and "move forward" with Morocco on "stronger and more solid" foundations.
For his part, King Mohammed VI had also expressed in August last, in his speech on the occasion of the Throne Day, his desire to "inaugurate an unprecedented new stage" in relations with Spain, based on "trust, transparency, mutual respect and commitments." According to Samir Bennis, diplomatic advisor and expert in bilateral relations, "we are witnessing a new paradigm in bilateral relations; Morocco is increasingly self-assured, it wants Spain to respect it and reconsider its position on the Sahara."