Council of the European Union, Sahara and the shock plan

The President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sanchezdenied this Wednesday that its support for Morocco’s proposed autonomy plan for Western Sahara represents a “turn” in the executive branch’s policies, arguing that it is nothing but “a new step on the road” that began in 2007 when it was presented and that is in line with the position of countries such as France, Germany or the United States.

“I am not downplaying the importance of the decision I have made, I have taken it with a full desire to take a step forward,” he insisted during his appearance in Congress, referring to his statement in the letter to king Mohamed VI forming the autonomy plan “the most serious, credible and realistic basis” for a solution.

According to Sánchez, it is “a clear position, but it is not new” since According to him, the two previous governments have already recognized the autonomy plan. In this sense, he has argued that both Zapatero and later Mariano Rajoy, who he believes also maintained recognition of the autonomy plan, understood the complexities of this conflict. “What I ask of you is that you also appreciate that complexity,” he demanded of the deputies. In addition, it has influenced, it is a “aligned position” with those of other countries such as France, Germany and the United States.

On the other hand, he made sure that “there is no lack of interest or neglect regarding the suffering of the Saharawi people” rather, it wants to “contribute to overcoming a deep-seated conflict with no prospect of a solution so far”.

At this point, Sánchez reaffirmed that “The United Nations is the framework to resolve the conflict in the Sahara”something that “Spain has always supported and will always support”, and that the solution “must be mutually accepted by the parties”.

In this context, he added, the government believes that: the Moroccan proposal “is the most serious, credible and realistic basis” because he believes that “after many years of conflict and stagnation in the negotiation process, this is the foundation on which there are more possibilities to build a solution acceptable to parties”.

The president explained that if he has taken this step now, it is because he believes there is an “opportunity to resume negotiations” following the appointment last October of the new UN envoy to Western Sahara, Staffan de mistura. “Spain wants to take an active role, not passive”and actively support the work of the new special envoy,” he added.

Reactions from the political groups

The spokeswoman for PP in Congress, Cuca Gamarra has accused Pedro Sánchez of bowing to Morocco and breaking the consensus that she says has existed until now: “never before has a government stopped seeking a fair solution for the Sahara” and has framework also did not leave the United Nations.

the leader of vox, Santiago Abascal, has made Pedro Sánchez ugly through his actions “outside his party, Parliament and his constituents.” “You’re an autocrat,” he said. An example of this, he says, is the decision taken on the Sahara, which he sees as a “cession” from Spain to Morocco. “What has happened is an insult to Spain, a bloody insult to this parliament,” he denounced the letter Sánchez had sent to the king of Morocco, Mohamed VI.

The spokesperson for United we can in Congress, Pablo Echenique deplored the “obvious” turn against the Sahara and urged him to return to defend the self-determination referendum. He explained that the position of the United Nations (the defense of free self-determination) is that of United We Can and that which appears in the election manifesto of the PSOE, while the other possibility is that defined by Donald Trump, of Morocco and “now alas” government. “It’s hard to justify your position, I tell you that with loyalty,” he added.

Gabrel Rufián, spokesman for Esquerra (CKD), has said he does not understand that “the government is defending the right to exist of the Ukrainian people against Russia, but not that of the Sahrawi people against Morocco”. “Why are tanks being sent to a tyrant like Putin and letters to another tyrant like Mohamed VI instead?” he asked. In his opinion, the government has chosen to “exchange principles for greater immigration control in Ceuta and Melilla”

Ferran Bel, spokesperson for the PDeCAT in Congress, he has subpoenaed Sánchez to clarify whether he will continue to defend the self-determination of the Saharawi people.

The spokesperson for Basque group in the Congress of Deputies, Aitor Esteban reproached him for failing to show his face and report on it last Wednesday: “Are they going to tell us something? Morocco”. He has indicated that if the conflict in the Sahara has been going on for more than 40 years, it is because Morocco is boycotting and making it difficult to find a solution. In addition, he understands that Spain has other responsibilities with the Sahara that France, for example, does not have.

Mertxe Aizpurua, spokesperson for EH Picture, has emphasized that the Sahrawi people have been waiting for a fair solution for too many years. He has criticized Sánchez for his “disjointed” and “hypocritical” attitude, which legitimizes Morocco’s illegal occupation of the Sahara, while denouncing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.