Spain-Algeria Relations Strained as Sanchez Backs Morocco’s Western Sahara Plan

Spain has ended its long crisis with Morocco, after changing its position on the Sahara. Pedro Sanchez’s visit to Rabat marks the beginning of the new stage in the relationship between the two countries. But at the same time, Spain, by making this decision, has opened a new front with Algeria, one of its main gas suppliers and an enemy of Morocco and an ally of the Polisario.

Sanchez’s choice to support the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara, in this particular context of an energy crisis to which the Ukrainian crisis is added, does not seem wise, believes Diario de Burgos, stressing that Algeria accuses Spain of not having informed it of its decision on the Sahara, which it considers a "second historical betrayal" of the Sahrawis after that of 1975.

To read: Spain’s Sahara Stance Strains Relations with Algeria, Key Gas Supplier

In reaction to this "abrupt" change of position, Algeria has recalled its ambassador to Madrid, Saïd Moussi, for consultations. For the Spanish authorities, Algeria is a "strategic and reliable partner" that has always respected its gas contracts, assuring that the current tensions will not affect the gas supply. Sanchez was also reassured on this point during his telephone conversation with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on March 6.

However, Spain’s change of position on the Sahara could have consequences on gas contracts with Algeria. The CEO of Sonatrach, Toufik Hakkar, indicated last week that Algeria will "maintain relatively correct prices for all its customers" but could "recalculate the prices" with its Spanish customers. In any case, the Spanish authorities are aware that the increase is inevitable, Ukrainian crisis obliges, but they just hope it will be "moderate".