Sahara: What if Morocco makes tit-for-tat response to Spain?
Following the American recognition of the Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara, Spanish government has frowned at the Trump historic and bold decision which took neighboring countries by surprise.
As it could not challenge openly Washington’s move, Madrid, the former colonial power of Western Sahara, keeps fuming and edged closer to Algiers to the detriment of Morocco, its Southern neighbor and partner.
Tension between the two countries heightened, leading to the postponement of their high-level meeting twice amid diplomatic row over the Sahara, while the polisario elements living in Spain stepped up their attacks against Moroccan consulates in blatant violation of international law.
The veil of hypocrisy and double-face of Spanish diplomacy has been torn down by Moroccan powerful intelligence service which exposed the Madrid-Algiers collusion. They connived to enable Polisario chief Brahim Ghali to travel to Spain to receive medical treatment under false Algerian identity and avoid arrest as the polisario leader is wanted by Spanish justice for crimes against humanity.
The Algiers-Polisario-Madrid “toxic triangle” has placed the Spanish government in an awkward and embarrassing position as it clearly takes side with the colluders against Morocco’s territorial integrity. In doing so, Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya has underestimated Rabat’s reaction, saying that relations between the two countries will NOT be affected.
But, Morocco proves her wrong, affirming its red-lines cannot be crossed. The Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the Spanish ambassador to express its disappointment over Spain’s decision of hosting the polisario leader for medical treatment against Covid-19 with impunity.
The Moroccan Foreign Ministry said Spain’s stance is “inconsistent with the spirit of partnership and neighborliness”. Morocco is demanding an explanation. It shows a firm stand as it did with Germany after Berlin took hostile stands and actions against Morocco’s territorial integrity.
Last week, an official from Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Ghali had been taken in “for humanitarian reasons” but Rabat sees the move as a stab in the back.
Furthermore, Moroccans find it hard to understand why Madrid has allowed itself to be manipulated by Algerian Generals who are seeking to create a crisis between Rabat and Madrid, as they are also tirelessly plotting to undermine relations between Morocco and Mauritania.
Morocco’s security services helped Spain to foil several terror attacks and thwarted countless illegal migration & drugs smuggling attempts before reaching Spanish coasts, while economic and political relations with Nouakchott are gaining momentum to the great displeasure of Algerian rulers.
Some analysts argue that by welcoming the leader of the Polisario, the Spanish government risks bursting the anti-terrorist cooperation between Spain and Morocco; which would result in dangerous consequences for the security and stability of the European country.
According to some other analysts, the decision of the Spanish government of granting the Polisario leader access to its territory with false travel documents is a test to Morocco which should respond to such “unfriendly act” on the basis of reciprocity.
They cited the possibility of giving the status of “political refugee” to former Catalan President Puigdemont wanted in Spain on charges of rebellion.
Mr.Puigdemont, who has lost the immunity of the European Parliament , is currently looking for a host country. He has not taken up arms to defend his political agenda, contrary to Brahim Ghali who is prosecuted in Spain for genocide crimes, murders, illegal detentions, terrorism, torture committed against sequestered Sahrawis in Tindouf camps, southern Algeria.
Some analysts wonder how Spain would react, if the Catalan leader finds refuge in Morocco under “humanitarian ground” as human rights are universal and indivisible!
