El Debate: Unveiling the Spanish PM’s Unexpected Letter to Mohammed VI: Coercion by Morocco?
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- The Spanish political landscape has been rocked by a mysterious letter that aligned the country’ stance on Western Sahara with Morocco’s position. The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, finds himself unable to provide concrete details about the origin, sender, and handling of the letter. This has given rise to speculation that Morocco may have exerted pressure on Sánchez, leading to the endorsement of a letter drafted by Moroccan authorities.
The Missing Original Letter
El Debate, a Spanish media outlet, has conducted a thorough investigation into the letter that caused a stir within the Spanish government. According to their findings, Pedro Sánchez did not send any letter to the King of Morocco proposing a significant shift in Spain’s approach to Western Sahara. Moreover, the Sánchez administration has acknowledged that it cannot produce the original letter or provide any insights into its creation and delivery process.
Implications of a Moroccan-Crafted Letter
The investigation conducted by El Debate raises the possibility that the controversial letter may have been authored by Moroccan authorities and subsequently endorsed by Pedro Sánchez. Official documentation discovered by the media outlet points to the letter’s potential origin in Rabat. This revelation further strengthens the theory that the Moroccan side could have influenced the Spanish Prime Minister’s actions, leading to the alignment of Spain’s position with Morocco’s claims on Western Sahara.
Lack of Transparency and Documentation
One of the most striking aspects of this case is the absence of official records and documentation pertaining to the letter. The Presidency of the Spanish Government, represented by the Moncloa, has admitted to having no knowledge of the letter’s sender, mode of delivery, or the individual who authorized its dispatch. This level of uncertainty is highly unusual in the realm of diplomacy, where meticulous record-keeping is crucial for the sake of transparency and accountability.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Under Scrutiny
The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Albares, has come under scrutiny for failing to present the letter to El Debate, as mandated by the Transparency Council’s ruling. The government’s refusal to make the original letter public and the absence of congressional support or King Felipe VI’s formal guardianship have added weight to the claim that Pedro Sánchez acted independently, possibly at the behest of the Moroccan King.
Questions Surrounding Motivations and Timing
The timing and sequence of events have fueled suspicions surrounding the motivations behind the letter. Notably, it was the Moroccan royal household that announced its intentions regarding Western Sahara, rather than Spain making its own declaration. Pedro Sánchez followed suit several days later. El Debate’s investigation postulates that the supposed letter of Spanish origin may never have existed, and Sánchez merely presented an agreement drafted by Morocco as his own.
Translated with adaptation from: L’Algérie Aujourd’hui
