Spain Shifts Stance on Western Sahara, Aims to Play Active Role in Conflict Resolution

23 March 2022 – byPrince@Bladi · 2 min read

Summoned to Congress to explain the decision to support the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, indicated on Wednesday that the Spanish government has chosen to be an "actor" in the Sahara conflict.

"Spain has been a spectator for many years, speaking internally but doing nothing to support the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy for the Sahara. Now, it wants to be an ’actor’ in the Sahara conflict," José Manuel Albares said on Wednesday in Congress, to justify the change in the government’s position on the Sahara.

Responding to questions from deputies of the Popular Party (PP) and EH Bildu, the head of Spanish diplomacy assured that Spain, both with regard to the war in Ukraine and on the Sahara, advocates a "mutually acceptable" solution for the two parties, "within the framework of the UN and international law".

To read: Spain Shifts Stance on Western Sahara, Aligning with Morocco’s Autonomy Plan

For PP deputy Martínez Ferro, this decision "makes no sense". The MP blames the government and Albares for thus creating a conflict with Algeria due to a possible disruption of gas supply, and provoking a crisis within the governing coalition that is on the verge of collapse.

On Friday, the Moroccan royal cabinet announced that President Pedro Sanchez, in a letter addressed to King Mohammed VI dated March 14, 2022, has decided to support the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara, which he considers the "most serious, credible and realistic" solution to the conflict.