Western Sahara: Sanchez Reaffirms Spain’ Support for a Political Solution Acceptable to Both Parties
BY: Hana Saada
NEW YORK (United Nations) – In a significant policy reversal, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared Spain’ support for a “political solution acceptable to both parties” regarding the Western Sahara conflict, marking a distinct departure from his earlier stance of endorsing Morocco’s “Autonomy Plan.” Speaking from the podium of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, this unexpected shift has left the Makhzen regime reeling.
Sanchez, who had previously succumbed to pressures from the Makhzen regime, reasserted his country’s commitment to finding a political resolution during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly’s general debate. He called for an end to the ongoing conflict that has persisted for nearly five decades, emphasizing the importance of a solution “acceptable to both parties.”
The Spanish Prime Minister reiterated his nation’ support for a political resolution “within the framework of the UN Charter and the decisions of the Security Council.” This statement signals a clear departure from his prior position, which had been seen as contravening Security Council decisions and violating international legality, specifically concerning the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination. In March 2022, Spain had expressed support for Morocco’s “Autonomy Plan” as a means of resolving the Western Sahara conflict, drawing criticism from various quarters.
Sanchez’s address, delivered from the UN podium, is viewed as a corrective measure to reconcile Spain’s historical stance on Western Sahara. Spain, a former colonizer of the region, has traditionally maintained a semblance of impartiality in its approach to the conflict, as Western Sahara remains categorized as a non-independent territory. The Prime Minister’s earlier deviation from this position was widely regarded as a “historic scandal” by the political class and civil society in Spain.
During his speech, Mr. Sanchez also voiced his support for the tireless efforts of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Staffan di Mistura, describing his work as “decisive action” toward resolving the long-standing conflict in the region. This endorsement of di Mistura’s role underscores Spain’s renewed commitment to diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting solution to the Western Sahara dispute.
