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Spain’s ongoing campaign in support of Morocco’s territorial integrity leaves Polisario and Algeria reeling in the face of continued setbacks.
Despite facing hostility fueled by Algeria-orchestrated pro-Polisario campaigns, Sanchez’ government remains committed to a pragmatic and realistic approach in supporting a solution to the Western Sahara dispute.
The Spanish PM reaffirmed his country’s firm position while addressing the UN General Assembly this week, reaffirming that his country will continue to support the UN-led political process’ push for a politically feasible and mutually acceptable solution.
The statement was a disheartening setback for the Polisario and its supporter Algeria, which have continued to lobby various parties in Spain to advocate for separatist claims over Western Sahara.
Despite ongoing support from several Spanish parties for self-determination claims, many observers and analysts argue that, like the UN-led political process, Madrid has definitely sidelined the unrealistic and politically unsound option of an independence referendum.
Instead, Spain now regards Morocco’s Autonomy Plan – submitted to the UN Security Council in 2007– as the most viable political route to a lasting resolution of the dispute.
Spain conveyed this position in March 2022, emphasizing the importance of the serious and credible initiative and its pragmatism able to end the lingering and long-decease dispute.
Read also: Samir Bennis’s Book: How, Why the US Embraced Morocco’s Autonomy Plan
Beyond these continued setbacks from Spain, Algeria and Polisario are also facing reversal from different other countries that have either renewed support for Morocco’s proposal or have joined the ever-growing list of nations supporting Rabat’s position.
On Thursday, Denmark joined the list of EU countries that now define the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the best available basis to end the territorial dispute.
Denmark emphasized its position during a meeting between its representatives and Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita at the UN 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
In addition to Denmark, the Netherlands and other countries reiterated support for Morocco’s position and its autonomy plan.
On Thursday, the Netherlands also reiterated its support for the Moroccan proposal.
“The Netherlands views the autonomy plan presented by Morocco in 2007 as a very serious and credible contribution to the political process aimed at resolving the conflict over the Sahara,” Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp told the press on Thursday.
Veldkamp underlined his country’s support for the UN-led political process, noting that the solution to the Sahara dispute can only come from the pursuit of a political process aimed at achieving a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable settlement.
