Sahara: The Polisario breaks all contact with the Spanish government

Following Spain’s support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for the settlement of the conflict around the Sahara, the Polisario, the separatist militia supported by Algeria, decided on Saturday to suspend its contacts with the Spanish government. An expected reaction that removes a thorn from Spain’s side.

“The General Secretariat of the Polisario Front announces that it is suspending all its contacts with the current Spanish government,” the separatist group armed by Algeria said in a statement.

Separatists reject UN mediation, reject roundtable format, and broke 1991 ceasefire after invading El Guerguerat area by taking civilian truckers hostage and robbing them of their goods in 2021 .

Pushed by Algeria in order to threaten the territorial integrity of Morocco in its Sahara since 1976, that is to say one year after the recovery of the Sahara by Morocco from the Spanish occupation, the leaders of the separatist militia, have once again, followed the orders of the Algerian command which previously recalled its ambassador assigned to Madrid.

In this regional conflict, Algeria nevertheless denies its role and claims not to be a party to the conflict, contrary to UN resolutions, which cite 4 parties including Algeria.

It is therefore no surprise that the separatist movement, whose headquarters are in Algeria, announced the suspension of contacts with the Spanish government, following Madrid’s decision to support the Moroccan autonomy plan, largely supported by the international community, and the only framework for the resolution of this regional dispute.

The reaction of the separatist clan supported by Algeria, comes late since the decision of the Spanish government which also has the approval of King Felipe VI, was taken in March. It was reiterated and supported during the recent visit of the Spanish head of government Pedro Sanchez to Rabat, where he was received by King Mohammed VI.

The Sanchez government has expressed its great satisfaction at the restoration of relations with Morocco after 10 months of diplomatic crisis caused by the reception last April of the leader of this same separatist militia behind Morocco’s back. A file known as the Brahim Ghali case.

This major crisis was not triggered by the simple fact of hosting this man wanted by Spanish justice for war crimes committed against Spaniards, but above all for its implications.

Morocco took this gesture as a serious betrayal of Spain in the face of an irreproachable attitude on its side, which had called into question the whole relationship maintained with the northern neighbor. Several months of negotiations were needed to lay the foundations for a new, more ambitious and more transparent relationship between the two neighbours.

Madrid, accused of playing a double game, had to show its credentials on the Sahara issue which materialized through this recognition of the Moroccan plan.