Spanish PM’s Map Gaffe Sparks Outrage in Morocco

In a message addressed to the Christian community on the occasion of the Christmas holiday, Pedro Sánchez saluted the commitment of more than 15,000 Spanish soldiers serving abroad for peace and global security. The only false note: he appeared in front of a map of Morocco without its Sahara at a time when Madrid is reaffirming its desire to strengthen its ties with Morocco.

In March 2022, Spain had changed its position on the Sahara. "Spain considers the Moroccan autonomy initiative, presented in 2007, as the most serious, realistic and credible basis for resolving the dispute," Pedro Sánchez had stated. More than two years later, is Madrid going to turn its back? According to recent reports, there are potential tensions around the Moroccan decision allegedly "unilaterally" to extend the airspace of the Western Sahara.

The use of a map of Morocco without the Sahara "offends the Moroccan government and people, who cannot accept that territorial integrity be exploited for political purposes," comments Samir Bennis. This provocative approach "contradicts the spirit that guides the relations between Morocco and Spain," added the author and co-founder of Morocco World News.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr696i65z6o