Image: Twitter Morocco s ambassador to Madrid Karima Benyaich
Morocco’s ambassador to Madrid on Thursday said press comments by the Spanish foreign minister undermined Moroccan territorial integrity and Rabat “would act accordingly”, escalating a row that contributed to a migrant crisis in Spain’s North African enclave.
Morocco withdrew ambassador Karima Benyaich from Madrid last week for consultations over Spain’s decision to host Brahim Ghali, head of the Western Sahara Polisario independence group, for medical treatment without informing Rabat.
It also appeared to relax border controls with the Spanish enclave of Ceuta leading thousands of migrants to cross, a move seen as retaliation for Spain’s hosting of Ghali.
Morocco calls on Spain to avoid further escalation
Morocco’s warning that relations with Spain could deteriorate further came after Madrid welcomed Brahim Ghali, head of the Algeria-Backed Polisario Front, a separatist movement, into the country for medical treatment.
Monday 24/05/2021
A file picture shows Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita at a joint press conference with his Spanish counterpart Arancha Gonzalez Laya (L) in the capital Rabat, on January 24, 2020. (AFP)
RABAT Morocco urged Spain on Sunday to avoid escalating a worsening crisis that has been unfolding between the two countries over the past few days.
Morocco’s warning that relations with Spain could deteriorate further came after Madrid welcomed Brahim Ghali, head of the Algeria-Backed Polisario Front, a separatist movement, into the country for medical treatment.
Polisario urges pressure on Morocco over migrant wave Published on Share
The Polisario Front, which seeks an independent Western Sahara, urged world bodies Friday to pressure Morocco over its use of migration for leverage in the conflict over the territory.
An unprecedented 8,000 people swam or took boats from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta earlier this week, following tensions over Madrid’s decision to host and treat the leader of the Polisario for Covid-19.
Analysts have said Rabat allowed the incident in order to pressure Madrid into following a US move under former president Donald Trump to recognise Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Morocco uses threat of migrants to force Spain to change its position on the Western Sahara conflict north-africa.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from north-africa.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Migrants were still massed along the border of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta Wednesday, as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez denounced Morocco s disrespect to Spain and the European Union.