Why Spain’s new Sahrawi citizenship law matters to Morocco

Key Points:

• Spain’s Congress approved a bill granting a special route to Spanish citizenship for Sahrawis born in Western Sahara before September 29, 1977, and their first-degree descendants, bypassing normal residency requirements and shortening residence duration for applicants already living in Spain.
• The bill aims to address historical injustices from Spain’s colonial rule over Western Sahara, which ended in 1976, but does not alter the disputed territory’s status or recognize Sahrawi independence or the Polisario Front.
• Morocco is concerned the law could create a larger community of Spanish and EU citizens with ties to Western Sahara, potentially complicating its relations with Spain despite the bill not changing Spain’s official support for Morocco’s autonomy proposal.
• The legislation has sparked political debate within Spain, dividing parties over how to handle the colonial legacy and nationality law, and raising broader questions about Spain’s historical ties and their impact on current territorial disputes, including sensitive issues like Ceuta and Melilla.
• While the bill would not affect territorial control or the UN-led political process, it highlights the complexities of Spain’s colonial past and its ongoing diplomatic relationship with Morocco regarding Western Sahara.