España se ofrece a escuchar a Marruecos sobre la cuestión del Sáhara

Spain and Morocco continue to be at the centre of a diplomatic crisis that still has no tangible solutions, at least in the short term. Two months ago, on April 18, the conflict began with the arrival in Spain of the polisario leader Brahim Ghali to be treated for humanitarian reasons without consulting or informing the Moroccan government; and later, more than 8,000 immigrants crossed the border crossing that links Morocco with Ceuta, without any type of restrictions by the Moroccan authorities. These events sparked an unprecedented diplomatic conflict between Spain and Morocco, at which point the question of the autonomy of Western Sahara reopened the debate on the position that Spain should take.

However, there have been no initiatives to try to alleviate the situation. Four weeks later, diplomatic channels are still frozen, which is evidence of the complicated situation both countries are going through.

Although there are still no direct talks between the two kingdoms, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arancha González Laya, declared in an interview with La Vanguardia that Spain would be open to "listening to Morocco on the Sahara". This statement could be a first step to begin talks aimed at paving the way towards an understanding that would re-establish neighbourliness and cooperation between the two countries.

According to a statement issued by the Moroccan Foreign Ministry, Rabat reported that "the core of the crisis is a question of Spain's hostile ulterior motives with regard to the Sahara, a sacred cause of the entire Moroccan people". The statement went on to confess that this crisis will not end until Spain "clarifies unambiguously its choices, its decisions and its positions on the question of Western Sahara". 

Spain has not yet taken a position and continues to maintain the same discourse as the UN on the Saharawi resolution approved by the Security Council. However, the minister has revealed that she will "consider any solution" that Morocco proposes on the Sahara, as long as it is done within the framework of the United Nations. In accordance with her proposal, Laya stressed to La Vanguardia her desire to negotiate a solution, "being very clear that it is not Spain's role to mediate, since this role should be played by the United Nations".

Along these lines, González Laya has expressed his opinion on the current crisis, condemning the situation they are currently going through, given that we would be "in a crisis that we did not want at all and from which, obviously, we want to get out of as soon as possible. We are going to work to create a space of trust from which the relationship can be redirected. This requires great prudence on my part".

This reflection could be a pronouncement on the entry of Polisario Front leader Brahim Ghali into Spain, a decision that was not previously consulted with Morocco, which set the stage for what would become a crisis that has already shown the geopolitical consequences of this conflict.

With regard to the US and European stance on this crisis, the minister stressed that "the United States is very sensitive to the migration issue, for reasons that are not difficult to imagine at its borders. The United States wants orderly, regular and safe immigration". On the other hand, in relation to its position on the autonomy of the Sahara, González Laya affirmed that "with the United States we agree that the solution should be promoted by the United Nations. And we also agree that this line should be revitalised, always with the utmost respect for Morocco". 

Likewise, in relation to diplomacy between the United States and Spain, the minister wanted to dispel any doubts that may exist as to whether diplomatic relations have been affected. According to the minister, "Spain's relationship with the United States is very solid, politically, economically, commercially and diplomatically (...) everything else is noise and exaggeration, foreign policy cannot be made on the basis of hyperbole and exaggeration".

This statement comes in the days following the NATO Summit. At the meeting, Pedro Sánchez and Joe Biden held a brief conversation that has already gone down in history as "the 29-second walk". Moncloa reported that the meeting would take place in a meeting where the issues of immigration, security and the pandemic would be discussed, however, what was to be a bilateral meeting turned into a brief conversation. 

After this event, the Moncloa warned that "there has been talk of a meeting, the word 'meeting' has never been used, nor the idea of a bilateral meeting, which has other diplomatic implications. It was to greet each other, get to know each other and give an image of harmony that could be reflected graphically, as has been the case. All in all, a very profitable and positive day".

On the other hand, after Ghali's departure from Spain, Morocco has not provided any further information on the bilateral crisis. Spain is already beginning, through declarations, to provide key elements focused on resolving the conflict. So much so that it could be said that Spain has begun to build bridges in order to listen to Morocco's proposals on the Sahara issue. However, silence between the two countries is once again the prevailing attitude, and talks remain in the air in a climate in which Morocco has yet to respond.