Moroccan Sahara: Spain’s New Position, A Boost to Settlement Process – Ugandan Political Scientist –

Spain’s new position in favor of Morocco’s autonomy initiative is a decision that will certainly give a serious boost to the settlement process of the regional conflict over the Moroccan Sahara, Ugandan political scientist and academic, Abubakar Kateregga said. “By regarding the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the exclusive basis for solving this regional conflict, Spain is demonstrating pragmatism and is accelerating the settlement process,” Kateregga told MAP. According to the researcher and professor at the International University of Rwanda, who specializes in security issues, Madrid’s support is as important as Washington’s recognition of the Kingdom’s full sovereignty over the Sahara. “This support is as important as the recognition by the United States of the Moroccanness of the Sahara, since Spain, the former colonial power in the Sahara, bears a historical and special responsibility on this issue,” he explained. On the other hand, the Ugandan political scientist noted that Madrid’s new position reflects its willingness to usher in a new era in its relations with Rabat following a year of “diplomatic crisis”. “This new stance reflects Spain’s resolve to open a phase of trust and transparency in the relations between the two countries to address common challenges in a context of global geopolitical uncertainty,” he concluded.