Morocco’s Diplomatic Tensions Dominate 2021: Spain Crisis, Elections, and Regional Conflicts

The crisis with Spain dominated the Moroccan news throughout the year 2021. It broke out in April with the reception of Brahim Ghali, the leader of the Polisario Front, in a hospital in Logroño. This was followed by an unprecedented migration crisis caused by the massive entry of migrants into Ceuta in May. Eight months later, relations between the two countries remain tense, reports EFE. The Moroccan ambassador to Madrid, Karima Benyaich, called to Rabat for consultations in May, has still not returned to her post. Last week, the Moroccan Ministry of Health accused Spain of not respecting health controls against Covid-19 in airports.

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Another highlight of this year is the reopening of liaison offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv, an act that consecrates the resumption of relations between Morocco and Israel, as well as the launch of several direct air links, and the signing of trade and military cooperation agreements. The Israeli Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Yair Lapid, and of Defense, Benny Gantz, were in Morocco respectively in August and November last.

To read: Algeria Severs Diplomatic Ties with Morocco Amid Terrorism Accusations

The third important event is the rupture in August, by Algeria, of its diplomatic relations with Morocco and the closure of its airspace to Moroccan aircraft. This led to the closure in October of the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline crossing Morocco to supply Spain with natural gas. Morocco has also suspended its relations with Germany, which has called into question Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.

To read: Morocco’s PJD Party Suffers Landslide Defeat in Elections: Experts Analyze Causes

The debacle of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) in the general elections (legislative, regional and municipal) of September 8 also marked this year 2021. The Islamist party in power for about ten years, only obtained 13 seats out of 395 in the Moroccan parliament. The National Rally of Independents (RNI) is the big winner of these elections with 102 seats. Its leader, Aziz Akhannouch, is the new Head of Government.

To read: EU Removes Morocco from Tax Haven Watchlist, Recognizing Reforms

In 2021, the European Union (EU) removed Morocco from the "gray list" of tax havens in February, thanks to the series of reforms initiated by the kingdom to review its tax system. The kingdom had been on this list since 2017. In addition, remittances from Moroccans living abroad reached a record 94.7 billion dirhams (9 billion euros) this year, up 38.9% compared to last year.