Why Spain is wading into Morocco and Algeria’s rivalry

On 18 March, Spain reversed decades of neutrality on the Western Sahara conflict after announcing its support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for the disputed territory, which offers limited self-government for the Saharawi people within Rabat’s sovereignty. Calling it the “the most serious and credible basis” for the resolution of the 48-year-long conflict, the Spanish statement echoed the phrasing used by France and the European Union in support of Morocco’s plan. The announcement marked an unprecedented move in Madrid’s long-standing neutrality towards its former colony. Until 1976, the territo…

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