Morocco Expresses Strong Discontent Against Spain In New Ministerial Statement

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates issued a fiery statement today, Saturday, directed at the Spanish government against the background of the issue of receiving Polisario leader who is currently under investigation.

The statement carried a direct threat to stop cooperation with Madrid in the areas of bilateral partnership, especially security, after Spanish authorities did not inform their Moroccan counterparts of the entry of the separatist leader in their country.

Spanish officials have increased the number of statements that try to justify this dangerous act which does not comply with the spirit of partnership that binds the two countries.

Through today’s statement, the Kingdom of Morocco wishes to clarify the following:

Spain’s decision not to notify Morocco of the arrival of Polisario leader is not an “omission”.

This is an act of premeditation, voluntary choice, and sovereign decision by Spain, which Morocco is fully aware of.

The invocation of humanitarian considerations does not justify this negative attitude. In fact, humanitarian considerations do not justify the maneuvering taking place without informing a neighbouring country .

Humanitarian considerations cannot be a panacea that is selectively given to the leader of the seperatist Polisario Front, at a time when thousands of people are living in inhuman conditions in Tindouf camps.

Humanitarian considerations cannot explain the inaction of Spanish courts either, when documented complaints are duly filed. The application of law and the protection of victims’ rights cannot be subject to double standards.

Moreover, humanitarian considerations do not clearly say  that the person is complicit in the impersonation and forgery of a passport with the intent to circumvent the law voluntarily.

Finally, humanitarian considerations cannot deny the legitimate allegations of victims of rape, torture, and gross human rights violations committed by the Polisario leader.

The position of some government officials regarding prejudging Morocco’s reaction and minimizing the dangerous impact this has on Moroccan-Spanish relations cannot obscure this unfortunate situation.

Maintaining the bilateral partnership between Morocco and Spain is a shared responsibility, fueled by a permanent commitment to safeguarding mutual trust, maintaining fruitful cooperation and protecting strategic interests of the two countries.