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Rabat – Moroccan Ambassador to Spain Karima Benyaich conveyed Morocco’s firm and steadfast position regarding Spain’s decision to host Polisario leader Brahim Ghali.
On Tuesday, the Spanish Foreign Affairs Ministry summoned Benyaich for talks after Spain’s frustration regarding the influx of irregular migrants to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from northern Morocco.
Over 6,000 irregular migrants entered Ceuta by swimming or using small boats amid an ongoing rift between Spain and Morocco.
Morocco is angry at Spain for allowing Polisario leader Brahim Ghali to enter its territories for hospitalization.
Spain allowed Ghali to enter its territories under a fake identity and passport issued in collaboration by Algeria – Spain. He is wanted for war crimes, among other charges, against the Sahrawis and Spanish people.
Algeria arranged Ghali’s trip to Spain with the Spanish government. Morocco’s intelligence detected his presence in Spain.
Benyaich told Europa Press before she was summoned to the foreign ministry in Spain, that there are acts that have consequences in relations between countries.
“They have to be assumed,” she said while referencing Spain’s decision to host Ghali for medical care.
“There are attitudes that cannot be accepted,” she said, emphasizing that relations have to be based on “mutual trust.”
Morocco’s Foreign Ministry, which also summoned Benyaich for consultations, made similar remarks regarding Spain’s decision to host Ghali.
The Ministry deplored Spain’s attitude and called for convincing and satisfactory answers regarding its decision.
Spain maintained that its decision is based on “humanitarian reasons.”
Morocco did not find Spain’s justification convincing.
Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita told the EFE recently that the Ghali episode constitutes a test of “reliability” for Spain-Morocco relations.
“When Spain faced separatism, Morocco was very clear.”
Bourita explained that Morocco rejected all contact and interaction with Catalan separatism and informed its partners when the leaders of the separatists asked Rabat to receive them.
Speaking of the multiple crime accusations facing Brahim Ghali, Bourita said the Polisario leader is a “rapist who has tolerated slavery, torture, war crimes, child soldiers, and genocide, and Spain knows this more than anyone else.”
