Spain’s Sanchez dismissed former FM as ‘gesture of good faith’ for Morocco

According to a fresh allegation from Spanish publication El Confidencial, Morocco required the dismissal of former Foreign Minister Arancha González-Laya as “a gesture of good faith” to end a bilateral diplomatic crisis.

Morocco demanded the official’s dismissal during a private meeting between Rabat and Madrid two weeks prior to Prime Minister Sanchez’s planned appointment of his new cabinet.

The government decided to remove the FM in 2021 during a year-long diplomatic crisis between Spain and Morocco after she organized the leader of the separatist Polisario front’s journey to Spain for medical treatment under a false name.

In the midst of the crisis, the conference was presided over by the Spanish ambassador, Ricardo Dez-Hochleitner, and his Moroccan counterpart in Madrid, Karima Benyaich.

Despite the precarious situation she was in as a result of the ongoing issue caused by Ghali’s admission into Spain, the former minister was not prepared for the firing.

In a statement released to the public, the Moroccan envoy lambasted the former head of foreign affairs for her decision, saying: “It is worth wondering if the latest statements are personal nonsense of the minister or if they reflect the true whims of some Spanish circles against the territorial integrity of the Kingdom.”

A legal investigation was conducted on the former foreign minister to determine whether the Polisario leader had been showing up frequently.

Since then, Albares, who took over as foreign minister after her, has continued to place a high priority on strengthening ties with Morocco.

The current foreign minister described Morocco as his “southern neighbor” in one of his introductory remarks and stated that the two countries’ friendship must become “closer.”
Read Also: Pedro Sanchez: Morocco, ‘friendly’ country and ‘fundamental ally’ for Spain’s security and development