BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- In a startling turn of events, the truth has come to light through the Spanish media regarding Premier Pedro Sanchez’s assertions of effectively curbing illegal immigration from Morocco. Despite his reassurances of strengthened ties with Morocco and the alleged reduction in migratory pressure, recent data from the Interior Ministry has unveiled a startling reality—a staggering 30% surge in the number of migrant boats crossing the Strait of Gibraltar. This revelation casts doubts on the efficacy of the government’s immigration policies and raises concerns about the accuracy of Sanchez’s previous claims.
The Spanish coast has experienced a significant increase in arrivals, with approximately 1,100 more individuals reaching its shores, making the total number of migrants reaching Spain since the beginning of the year rise to 4,865. This surge in illegal immigration directly contradicts Prime Minister Sanchez’s claim that the country has achieved “good figures” and aims to establish itself as the only Mediterranean route with “low immigration.”
Sanchez attributes these positive outcomes to his government’s change in stance regarding the Western Sahara issue, highlighting the potential benefits of a more cooperative approach. However, it is widely acknowledged that Morocco has been using and manipulating migrants as a means to exert pressure on Spain, creating a complex dynamic that adds a layer of skepticism to the situation. This reality has not gone unnoticed by the political opposition, who have consistently questioned the government’s true intentions behind the sudden policy shift concerning the Sahrawi territories.
Alberto Nunez Feijoo, as the popular party’s candidate for prime minister, is poised to address a matter of great concern to the Spanish people—the puzzling reasons behind the Sahara reversal led by Pedro Sanchez. With the upcoming July 23 elections offering the possibility of a new government, Feijoo has made a commitment to shed light on the decision-making process that led to this controversial shift in Spain’ stance on the Sahara issue.
Presenting the Popular Party’s electoral platform comprising of 365 comprehensive measures, Feijoo emphatically asserts, “Spaniards need to know the rationale and objectives underlying these decisions.” Within this pivotal document, prominent figures within the party emphasize the imperative for Spain to adopt a foreign policy that aligns with the shared values of their society. They highlight Spain as a profoundly European nation that, throughout more than four decades of democracy, has successfully maintained a prudent equilibrium in its relations with Morocco and Algeria. Moreover, they emphasize the unwavering commitment to fulfilling our responsibilities towards the Sahrawi people.
The recent memorandum from Rabat to the European Union, classifying Ceuta and Melilla as “Moroccan cities,” has raised concerns among Spanish diplomatic sources, pointing towards a potentially fractured relationship between the two countries. This unexpected categorization has sparked speculation among experts, who suggest that the strained ties may be connected to the potential departure of Pedro Sanchez from power. As the political climate in Spain undergoes a transition, Moroccan diplomatic sources have taken note of these changes and expressed doubts about the fulfillment of promised investments and projects under Sanchez’s leadership.
The recent classification of Ceuta and Melilla as Spanish and European cities by European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas has sparked a heated debate, resulting in a letter being sent to the EU Embassy in Rabat criticizing this assertion. The response from the Spanish foreign ministry, albeit delayed, finally affirmed that these cities are unequivocally Spanish. However, Morocco countered by reasserting its claim over the territories.
