The main point of contention is the status of Western Sahara, a vast, sparsely populated area that has been occupied by Morocco for decades. Until 1975 it was a colony of Spain, after which Madrid always remained neutral. Until last year, when Sanchez decided to support Rabat’s claim.
This has led to a lot of criticism in Spain. The labor minister has refused to accompany Sanchez to Morocco because his left-wing party does not support the prime minister’s turnaround. The right-wing opposition is also critical, stating that “there is no greater humiliation than bending to the Moroccan will”.
Sanchez defends the spin betting on the Spanish interest. Since then, the number of migrants traveling to Spain via Morocco has dropped dramatically. At the height of the feud, Spanish enclaves in northern Morocco were regularly stormed by thousands of migrants hoping to reach Europe. The Moroccan border police did not intervene until the dispute was resolved.
Western Sahara
Sanchez and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch agreed to show mutual respect and strengthen cooperation. Around twenty agreements were signed to increase Spanish investment in Morocco. Spanish support for Western Sahara’s status was also confirmed on paper. The area has limited autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, to the frustration of the Saharawi independence movement.