Spain-Morocco Diplomatic Crisis Persists as High-Level Talks Remain Unscheduled

"We do not want to falsely end the crisis, as has happened on other occasions," said José Manuel Albares, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, to El Español, indicating that for the moment, no date is set for a high-level meeting between President Pedro Sánchez and King Mohammed VI with a view to restoring relations.

To read: Diplomatic Rift Between Morocco and Spain Enters 100th Day Over Polisario Leader’s Visit

Spain is still awaiting the return to her post of the Moroccan ambassador to Madrid, Karima Benyaich, recalled to Rabat for consultations. This return of the ambassador or the appointment of a new Moroccan ambassador to Spain could contribute to a thawing of the situation, believes José Manuel Albares.

The Spanish Foreign Minister also points out that Spain is willing to play a mediating role in the crisis between Morocco and Algeria, but neither country has requested its intervention. For Morocco, Spain is not an impartial arbiter in this conflict, given its position on the Sahara and the excellent relations of Pedro Sánchez’s government with Algeria and the Polisario Front.

To read: Algeria Halts Gas Pipeline to Spain, Morocco Prepared for Impact

Spain is already suffering the consequences of this crisis. After the rupture in August of its relations with Morocco, Algeria decided in October to close the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline connecting it to Spain via Morocco. Since then, Spain has been forced to import more liquefied natural gas to avoid any interruption, despite assurances from Algeria to continue supplying it with gas via the Medgaz.

Moreover, " the risk of escalation between Algeria and Morocco is real ", according to the Elcano Royal Institute in its forecast report for 2022, warning of the risk of the opening of "a direct armed conflict between the two countries or with the involvement of the Polisario Front", which would threaten the stability of the region.