Rabat – Erik Jansen, the former special representative of the UN Secretary General said on Saturday that Spain’s new position on Western Sahara gives a “powerful boost” to the Moroccan Autonomy Plan.
Jansen emphasized that Spain is now aligning itself unequivocally with US and Germany’s positions regarding the conflict over Western Sahara.
Several countries in Africa, the Gulf, Europe and Latin America have already expressed their support [for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan],” Jansen noted.
He stressed, however, the importance of Spain’s stance, describing it as “special” due to the European country’s former status as a colonial power.
Jansen argued that it would be a “gross mistake to give up” a peaceful political process to end the conflict, emphasizing that Morocco’s Autonomy Plan will offer the people of North Africa an “honorable future, stability, and excellent prospects.”
On Friday, Spain made a historic shift in its Western Sahara position by officially recognizing Morocco’s Autonomy initiative as the “most” credible and serious political solution to resolving the decades-long dispute.
As well as reiterating its determination to continue to forge stronger cooperation and relations with Morocco, the Spanish government also emphasized the importance of Morocco as a credible partner and ally.
Morocco appreciated Spain’s new position on Western Sahara, saying that the Spanish government’s message to King Mohammed VI and Morocco provides a “clear and ambitious roadmap” to boost bilateral ties between Morocco and Madrid.
Spain’s decision did not sit well with both Polisario and its main supporter, Algeria. The Algerian regime recalled on Saturday its ambassador from Madrid for consultation, while the Polisario Front lashed out at Spain, accusing it of making a “grave error” by changing its position on the Sahara conflict.
