Morocco on course to take full-control of Sahara air space management

Spain has confirmed it was working on handing over the management of the Sahara air space to Morocco, which has followed a gradual approach to end Spanish colonial residues in the territory.

Spain, the former colonial power, has retained control over the Sahara air space from the Canary Islands.

The Spanish government said in a written answer to a question by an MP from the Canary Islands that handing over air space control over the Sahara to Morocco was part of the 2023 Declaration, which ushered a new era in Moroccan-Spanish cooperation.

The two countries turned the page of an era of diplomatic turbulence after Spain backed the autonomy option for the Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty.

Sanchez’s government has reiterated his country’s position on the Sahara conflict during his most recent visit to Rabat in February.