Spain-Morocco Crisis Deepens as Migrants Surge into Ceuta, Minister Warns

"Spain’s decision to host on its territory the leader of the Polisario armed group (Brahim Ghali), and to hospitalize him in one of its facilities under a false identity, without regard for good neighborliness which implies and requires coordination and consultation, or at least information, is an imprudent, irresponsible and totally unacceptable measure," denounces the minister in a Facebook post, explaining that this "thoughtless attitude" is at the origin of the migration crisis facing Madrid.

Questions are flying. "What did Spain expect from Morocco, when it sees its neighbor harbor the leader of a separatist group who has taken up arms against the kingdom? What would Spain have lost if it had taken the necessary measures in such cases, to inform Morocco and gather its point of view on the fact of hosting an enemy of its territorial integrity? Why didn’t Spain reveal Brahim Ghali’s presence on its soil under his real identity? Isn’t this proof that it is certain that what it has done is not in keeping with the norms of good neighborliness? And if Morocco did what Spain has done?" wonders Mustapha Ramid.

According to him, Spain has preferred its relationship with the Polisario and its mentor Algeria, to its relationship with Morocco. "Morocco, which has made many sacrifices in the name of good neighborliness, which should be the focus of the attention of the two neighboring countries, who should strive to preserve and maintain their ties with the Kingdom," laments the minister. "Now that Spain has not done so, Morocco was entitled to take its ease, so that Spain measures the extent of the ills it has endured in the name of good neighborliness, and the price it pays. It should also know that underestimating Morocco is costly and on the spot," he adds.

Mustapha Ramid also calls on Madrid to review its policy and its relations with its neighbor, that it considers it as it should be considered and that it respects its rights as it respects its own.