Madrid: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited Algeria on July 20 for discussions with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb, aiming to resolve a diplomatic dispute that emerged in 2022. The discord originated when Spain supported Morocco’s autonomy proposal concerning the Western Sahara conflict, a move that displeased Algeria.

According to Deutsche Welle, the timing of Sanchez’s visit coincided with a significant incident where tens of thousands of migrants stormed the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. This prompted speculation, notably by Spanish daily El Pais, about potential Moroccan involvement as a retaliatory gesture against Spain’s improved relations with Algeria. The newspaper highlighted that any use of immigration as leverage is unacceptable.

Moroccan interior ministry spokesperson Rachid El Khalfi dismissed these accusations, attributing the incident to the “malicious exploitation of the digital space” and “misleading information” regarding a Spanish Supreme Court ruling on migrant rights. Experts consulted by DW suggested that while Moroccan border guards’ inaction may have contributed, it is unlikely Morocco intended to provoke such a significant diplomatic issue.

The incident underscores the intense rivalry between Algeria and Morocco, rooted in the longstanding Western Sahara conflict. This dispute dates back to 1975, following Spain’s withdrawal from the territory. The Polisario Front’s fight for Sahrawi self-determination against Morocco ended with a UN-brokered ceasefire in 1991, but a referendum for the Sahrawis’ future has yet to occur. The UN identifies Western Sahara as Africa’s last non-self-governing territory.

Morocco views Western Sahara as an integral part of its nation, seeking international recognition as a semi-autonomous province. Algeria, conversely, supports Western Saharan independence and backs the Polisario Front. In 2024, the European Court of Justice ruled that Morocco and Western Sahara are distinct territories.