Western Sahara and Spain

WESTERN SAHARA AND SPAIN 

Nuno Catarino and Martín Secaira

  

The Western Sahara conflict is one of the oldest still unresolved disputes on the African continent. The clash between Morocco and the POLISARIO has provoked a horrendous crisis in the North African region. A 2,700 km-long defensive wall (“The Berm”) runs through the Western Sahara and the south-eastern part of Morocco. “The Berm” divides the disputed territory, which includes about 10 million landmines. The frightening fact is that these landmines have not yet been identified and mapped.

 As a result of the hostilities, more than 200,000 people fled their homes, the majority of whom, Sahrawi, have been forcibly displaced to the border countries of Algeria and Mauritania. The Tindouf refugee camp, in Algeria, holds around 177.000 refugees who live in precarious conditions. In addition, water and food shortages have provoked serious health problems that the authorities are not able to handle. Humanitarian aid is usually not allowed by the POLISARIO and, on the other side of “the Berm,” Morocco claims that it is insufficient. 

Moreover, war prisoners are victim of torture and abuse from the opposing party. The rule of international humanitarian law is not respected in the Sahrawi territory. Families have not had information about their loved ones, many of whom are believed dead, for many years. They are defined as “the oldest prisoners of war in the world.” The international community, including the United Nations, has developed many plans to put an end to this conflict, but the major inconvenience is the absence of political will. 

What is the role of Spain in the Western Sahara conflict?  Morocco is one of Spain’s closest economic partners.  Instability in Morocco would affect Spain at several levels: increasing numbers of illegal immigrants, growing drug traffic, and possible terrorist threats, as was shown during the events of March 11 in Madrid. 

Although economic relations between the two countries are very limited, by 1996, Algeria supplied 70% of Spain’s natural gas needs. Besides, Spanish public opinion is overwhelmingly in favour of Western Sahara’s independence. 

In this conundrum Spain has to tread carefully in order not to undermine its relations with its North African neighbours.  On the one hand, Morocco calls on Spain to follow a policy of “active neutrality” in the conflict.  On the other, Algeria is unhappy with the absence of a pro-active Spanish role in supporting Western Sahara’s independence.   It is inconceivable that the Spanish Government would take radical steps in favour of either Morocco or Algeria. Supporting an independent Western Sahara would be welcomed favourably by Spanish public opinion. The downside is that it would undermine Spain’s relations with Morocco.