Spain Hosting Polisario Separatists’ Leader, Blow to Morocco

The Spanish government, by hosting on its territory the man named Brahim Ghali, leader of the separatist militias of the “polisario”, under a false Algerian identity, delivered a blow to Morocco, writes the electronic website “infomarruecos”. In an article signed by the economic expert Abdelwahed Ouarzazi under the title “the tactic of the ostrich”, the publication questioned the interest of the head of the Spanish government Pedro Sanchez to receive a guest who disturbs and with a false identity, at the expense of the interests of a neighbouring country and an important partner in the Strait of Gibraltar, in the Mediterranean and on the Atlantic coast, which Madrid considers a “friend” and a “privileged partner”. The entry of the Polisario leader to the Spanish territory with a false identity is more than suspicious, and the reasons why Spain has lent itself to this game in collusion with Algeria are attracting a lot of attention, he said. If the leader of the separatists was received for humanitarian reasons, then why he entered the country illegally, asks the author of the article, noting that the decision of the Spanish government revealed its non-transparency and immaturity. Spain’s foreign policy vis-à-vis Morocco, especially with regard to the Sahara issue, has wavered, due to its complexity, said the publication, explaining that Spain is attached to UN resolutions as a framework for reference while trying to reconcile between maintaining a good relationship with Morocco, and sending signals to Algeria and the Polisario. This is an equation with unequal terms, which inevitably leads to misunderstandings, he concluded. The Kingdom of Morocco deplored Sunday the attitude of Spain which hosts on its territory the man named Brahim Ghali, leader of the separatist militias of the “polisario”, sued for serious war crimes and grave violations of human rights. The ministry of foreign affairs, African cooperation and Moroccans Abroad had said in a statement that Morocco expresses its disappointment with regard to this act contrary to the spirit of partnership and good neighbourliness, and which concerns a fundamental issue for the Moroccan people and its lifeblood.

For the ministry, Spain’s attitude arouses great incomprehension and legitimate questions: Why was the man named Brahim Ghali admitted to Spain secretly and with a forged passport? Why did Spain find it useful not to notify Morocco? Why did it choose to admit him under a false identity? And why the Spanish justice has not yet reacted to the many complaints lodged by the victims? “This is why the Ambassador of Spain in Rabat was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, so that this position could be conveyed to him and to demand from him the necessary explanations on the attitude of his government”, concluded the press release.