Polisario Leader Recovering from COVID-19 in Spanish Hospital, Official Says

"The doctors confirm that he has overcome the critical state and is far from any danger," said an anonymous senior "Sahrawi" official to AFP. He will add that Brahim Ghali is "in convalescence", that he "was recovering well and that his condition was evolving positively".

The emergency admission of the president of the "Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)" to a hospital in Logroño under an Algerian alias has caused new tensions between Spain and Morocco. Tensions that have remained strong following the massive arrival of 8,000 migrants - including 2,000 minors - in Ceuta. The kingdom has denounced the disloyal attitude of its northern neighbor and demanded a "transparent" investigation into the "fraudulent" entry of the head of the separatists into Spain. In a statement to the Europa Press agency, sources from the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confided that Brahim Ghali had not entered the territory with a false passport, but with his passport that meets "the ordinary requirements".

After Morocco’s warning against the exfiltration of Brahim Ghali, accused of alleged crimes such as genocide, murder, injury, illegal detention, terrorism, torture and disappearances, Spain is trying to calm the diplomatic crisis. "This person was in a critical situation due to his multiple health problems, including a serious case of Covid-19. [...] When he has recovered, he will return home. In the meantime, he is facing a series of complaints and we hope he will fulfill his obligations to the Spanish justice system," said the Spanish Foreign Minister, Arancha Gonzalez Laya, on Sunday on Spanish national radio.