Join on WhatsApp 
Join on Telegram Rabat – France seeks to play the role of a mediator in the Spain-Morocco crisis, according to French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.
During his interview with “Le Grand Jury” show, Le Drian spoke about the tension between Morocco and Spain and suggested dialogue to find a solution to end the crisis.
The French official said that he held talks with Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita to “try to contribute to this dialogue.”
The rift continues to grow between Morocco and Spain due to Madrid’s decision to host Polisario leader Brahim Ghali.
The Polisario leader entered Spain with a fake passport and identity under the name of Mohamed Ben Batouch.
Spain allowed the separatist leader to enter its territories for medical care after he tested positive for COVID-19.
The Spanish government arranged his trip with Algeria in secret without notifying Morocco. Moroccan intelligence, however, detected his presence at a hospital in a Spanish city and deplored Spain’s actions.
In response, Spain downplayed the situation, citing humanitarian reasons for Ghali’s case and arguing that it was not a secret, but “discreet.”
The Spanish government also expressed frustration after a migration crisis erupted in northern Morocco after 8,000 crossed the region to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
Morocco’s government responded to the criticism from Spain, saying that the events in Ceuta show that Morocco does 99% of the work in tackling the irregular migration crisis.
In a recent statement on Sunday, Moroccan FM stated that the tension will only increase if Spain allows Ghali to leave its territories in a similar fashion to the way he entered.
Ghali is facing several legal cases, including genocide, rape, torture, and illegal detention.
Bourita, in his interview with Europe 1, said Madrid has created a crisis and wants Europe to assume it. The official reaffirmed that the crisis between Morocco and Spain is not due to irregular migration, but rather because of Spain’s decision to host Ghali.
“For me, it is above all a migration crisis born of a political crisis between two partners. A crisis for which Spain is responsible,” he declared.
