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Doha – Former Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has strongly endorsed Morocco’s autonomy proposal for Western Sahara in his new book “La solución pacífica” (The Peaceful Solution), drawing parallels between the plan and Catalonia’s autonomy statute.
In his recently published geopolitical analysis, Zapatero, who served as Spain’s top executive from 2004 to 2011, reveals that Morocco consulted his government before officially presenting its 2007 autonomy initiative.
“I remember very well the moment when Foreign Minister Miguel Ángel Moratinos put the project on the table for us to give our opinion and start working,” he writes, stressing the “strategic level of trust” between Rabat and Madrid.
The former Spanish leader compares Morocco’s autonomy proposal to Spain’s own regional governance model. “Morocco launched for the first time an autonomy project similar in some aspects to Catalonia’s Statute of Autonomy, although much more generic,” Zapatero states in the book.
Addressing the future of the territory, Zapatero writes: “At some point, the solution will come in the form of great political self-government for the Sahara and the Saharawis, who deserve well-being and the definitive affirmation of their identity.”
He maintains that the possibilities for autonomy and self-government in the Sahara “are very great.”
The book extensively discusses Morocco’s political evolution, with Zapatero describing the kingdom as having “the greatest pluralism” in the Arab world.
“It is where evolution in development and the defense of Human Rights are best established,” he notes, while also praising the country’s “participatory reforms” and “advances” in public freedoms.
Read also: Former Spanish Defense Minister Endorses Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for Sahara
Zapatero’s analysis extends to diplomatic relations, particularly attesting to King Mohammed VI’s commitment to Spanish-Moroccan ties. “He spoke to me in my language from the day I met him. His Spanish is good and he is a great connoisseur of our culture,” Zapatero recalls.
The former prime minister addresses the complex regional dynamics, identifying Algeria as a “key actor” that “deserves more attention” from the international community.
While acknowledging that “dialogue is not always fluid,” he commends Algeria’s “appropriate behavior” during challenging situations, particularly regarding energy matters.
Regarding economic relations, Zapatero affirms that it is possible to uphold strong ties with Morocco while addressing the Western Sahara issue.
“In this context, it is possible to reconcile our good relationship with Morocco with the Western Sahara issue and the commitment to UN resolutions,” he states.
This Moroccan plan has been considered “the most serious, realistic and credible” solution since 2022, following a letter from current Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to King Mohammed VI.
Zapatero warns against the continued suffering of families in Algeria-controlled and Polisario-run Tindouf camps, describing it as “a pending issue” for the international community. He advocates for achieving “a definitive status of non-confrontation, non-belligerent” approach to resolve the long-standing dispute.
