Spain Backs Morocco’s Sahara Autonomy Plan in Major Policy Shift

Spain announced on Friday its decision to support Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara, which it considers the "most serious, credible and realistic" solution to the conflict. While the decision is welcomed by Morocco, it is denounced on the one hand by Spanish political parties from the majority and the opposition, who accuse Pedro Sanchez of not having consulted them on such a serious issue, and on the other hand by the Polisario Front, which regrets that Spain has finally succumbed to the "pressures" and "blackmail" of Morocco.

Read: Morocco Pressures Spain to Shift Stance on Western Sahara Dispute

Morocco has exerted strong pressure on Spain, with the migration crisis in Ceuta in May and the recent attacks in Melilla, not to mention the recall of its ambassador to Madrid since May, recalls Europa Sur, noting that after eight months of arm-wrestling, Minister José Manuel Albares has finally managed to reach an agreement with Morocco to lower the tension, and above all, to strengthen the stability and territorial integrity of Spain in the face of Morocco’s annexationist desires on Ceuta, Melilla and the Canary Islands.

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But this change in Spain’s position is likely to have consequences for its energy security. Algeria, one of Spain’s main gas suppliers and the main supporter of the Polisario Front, has just recalled its ambassador to Madrid, after this decision by Spain. It should be recalled that Algeria broke off diplomatic relations with Morocco in August and closed the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline crossing the kingdom at the end of October.