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After Polisario leader Brahim Ghali’s rapid departure from Spain, many in both Spain and Morocco want to determine exactly how the Polisario leader was able to enter Spain in the first place.
A video has since surfaced of Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune visiting Brahim Ghali in an Algerian hospital has many in both Spain and Morocco demanding a follow up of the Ghali case.
In a short video, the head of Spanish news organization La Razon, Francisco Marhuenda voiced several concerns that have been surfacing since Ghali’s case was dismissed by a Spanish judge. He criticized the Spanish government’s response to the Ghali situation, calling it “disgraceful.”
Despite the antagonistic and tone-deaf views of many Spanish politicians following the clash between Morocco and Spain, Marhuenda provided a far more balanced perception of the events. He pointed out that Ghali was questionably admitted into Spain under false pretenses.
Afterwards, Ghali was allowed to quickly exit Spain to be protected in Algeria by “his friends.” That friendship was evident as Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune visited the aging separatist frontman as he laid in bed at a hospital in Algeria. He frankly points out that the goal of the Algerian pseudo-military regime, which he described as “less than recommendable,” is to plot the destabilization of Morocco, ostensibly one of Spain’s key security partners.
In addition, Marhuenda demands an investigation of the circumstances of Ghali’s initial entrance into Spain via falsified documents. He insists that Ghali will be unable to re-enter Spain, and asserts it would be worthwhile to investigate exactly how Ghali was initially allowed to enter Spain, breaking Spanish law by using falsified documentation.
Marhuenda points out that, while the Moroccan political system isn’t perfect, it is a country that holds democratic elections, and a country at the forefront of curbing radical Islamic groups. Therefore, the relationship between Spain and Morocco is one that is imperative to the future safety of Spain and Europe, according to Marhuenda. The desire to renormalize relations between the two countries is something that would be to the benefit of the Spanish people, as Spain cannot afford a prolonged diplomatic crisis with Morocco, he emphasized.
Highlighting the destructive effects of Spanish decolonization in the Sahara region, Marhuenda said the answer was to support a solution that would end the conflict within Western Sahara, while allowing the local population to achieve a level of autonomy within the bounds of Morocco’s sovereignty, as any other solution would be “foolish.”
Marhuenda’s comments echo other Spanish calls for a comprehensive reassessment of Spain’s actions in regards to Western Sahara and their relationship with shady individuals like Brahim Ghali.
When considering the political situation of the region, Spain is at a crossroads, where it must ask itself whether its long term goals would be better served by assisting Morocco in keeping peace and stability within the Maghreb, or by assisting questionable actors such as Ghali to dodge justice.
