US Pressure Shapes Spain’s Sahara Policy Shift, Impacting North African Relations

The United States has always been a great support for Spain. CIA documents indicate that the Moroccan Green March on the Sahara was a success because the United States and Don Juan Carlos signed an agreement under which Spain had to cede the Sahara to Morocco and Mauritania, in exchange for full U.S. support to get through this difficult transition period to democracy.

To read: US Influence Shapes Spain’s Shift on Western Sahara Autonomy Plan

Relations with Morocco and Algeria have often been complicated, but Spanish leaders have managed to maintain a delicate balance with the two countries, until González Laya’s foreign policy tipped the scales towards Algiers at the expense of Rabat, a trend that Minister Albares is trying to reverse, much to the chagrin of Algeria, analyzes La Razon, arguing that Joe Biden played a role in Sanchez’s decision in March to support Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara.

To read: US Influence Suspected in Spain’s Shift on Western Sahara Autonomy

The proof is that regular contacts have been maintained, between January and March, by the Spanish Foreign Minister and the Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman. The American official made two quiet visits to Madrid during the period, as well as tours in North Africa and Turkey. Minister Albares had also met with Anthony Blinken, head of U.S. foreign policy.

It is also known that Sanchez’s letter to Mohammed VI is almost a perfect copy of those sent by Germany and France, which reflect Trump’s letter recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara.