In reaction to Spain’s change of position on the Sahara , the UN spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, called on the parties to the conflict (Morocco and the Polisario) and the interested parties (Algeria, Spain, China...) to support the efforts of the special envoy for the Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, "to relaunch the political process" to resolve the conflict.
Spain’s change of position on the Sahara certainly signals the end of the crisis with Morocco, but not of the conflict in the Sahara, let alone the crisis between Algeria and Morocco.
Spain would have accepted to support the Sahara autonomy plan and end tensions with Morocco due to the influx of refugees it could face during this period of the Ukrainian crisis.
The Spanish government believes that Algeria, as the third largest gas supplier in Europe and the main supplier to Spain and Italy, cannot afford to stop exporting gas and thus lose the opportunity offered by the war in Ukraine to improve its strategic position.
The Association of Friendship with the Sahrawi People of Seville has called for a demonstration against Spain’s decision to support Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara.
Algeria wants Spain to reverse its decision to support Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara . To do this, it would be willing to deprive the peninsula of gas.
The police arrested a Moroccan residing in Spain after acts of abuse committed on his 10-year-old son. He is accused of having locked the boy in a small room inside a house in Malaga.
The defense of territorial integrity, particularly in Ceuta and Melilla, was one of the conditions set by Spain to Morocco to support the Sahara autonomy plan.
The Spanish government "hopes" that its change of position on the Sahara will not affect the country’s gas supply from Algeria, its main supplier.
After fifteen months of pressure, King Mohammed VI has finally achieved his goal of getting Spain to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara.
The Minister of Territorial Policy and government spokesperson, Isabel Rodriguez, assured that the decision to support the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara will not affect its "solid" relationship with Algeria, a "strategic, reliable and friendly partner".
Algeria condemns Spain’s change of position on the Sahara , which it considers a "second betrayal" after that of 1975. It assures that it was not informed of this "vile bargaining" between Morocco and Spain.