Spain Threatens to Reverse Sahara Stance Amid Morocco-Algeria Tensions

Spain believes it has gained nothing with Morocco, after supporting the Sahara autonomy plan, and that on the other hand, it has lost everything, or almost everything, with Algeria. For Spanish and foreign diplomats in Madrid, Pedro Sanchez’s foreign policy in North Africa is an absolute failure, reports El Confidencial, stressing that Spain must force Morocco’s hand to respect the commitments made in the joint declaration.

To read: Morocco Orchestrated Migrant Crisis to Pressure Spain on Western Sahara, Intelligence Report Reveals

According to the newspaper, Spain must give Morocco an ultimatum so that, within a very short time, it recognizes Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, dismantles the fish farms installed on the Chafarinas Islands, etc. If Rabat does not do so, Spain should return to its position of neutrality on the Sahara, i.e. withdraw its support for the Moroccan autonomy plan. In doing so, it could thus normalize its relations with Algeria and strengthen its energy cooperation with this country.

To read: Algeria Expands Trade Ban on Spanish Imports, Violating EU Agreement

Algeria has constantly "punished" Spain for this turnaround on the Sahara. On Wednesday, it suspended its trade exchanges with Spain, before backing down to avoid an intervention by the European Commission, which had deplored its decision, describing it as "extremely worrying". However, Pedro Sanchez gave a very positive assessment on Wednesday before Congress of the two months of the new stage in the relationship with Morocco.

To read: Spain and Morocco Fail to Reach Customs Agreement for Ceuta and Melilla

The Spanish Prime Minister recalled the resumption of passenger maritime traffic in April, the reopening of the borders of Ceuta and Melilla on May 17 and the drop in migratory flows to the Canary Islands. But the reopening of the borders is not yet complete and the freight traffic has still not resumed due to the commercial customs that have not yet been put into service as provided for in point 3 of the joint declaration where the "establishment of appropriate customs control arrangements" is announced.

The reactivation of the working group on the delimitation of maritime spaces on the Atlantic facade, included in point 6 of the document, has not been effective either.