In a significant political development, Spanish lawmakers have recently passed a bill aimed at granting citizenship to tens of thousands of Sahrawis, individuals born in Western Sahara during the period of Spanish colonization. This legislative action comes at a time of already strained relations between Spain and Morocco, which currently holds most of the territory in question. The bill was approved by the lower house of Spain's parliament with a vote tally of 168 in favor, 31 against, and 145 abstentions, indicating a division in political support. Now, the legislation must be ratified by the Senate to become law.
The proposed legislation specifically targets Sahrawis born before September 29, 1977, and extends the opportunity for their descendants to obtain Spanish nationality through naturalization processes. Estimates suggest that the number of eligible individuals could range from approximately 70,000 to over 100,000, a substantial figure that underscores the potential impact of this decision on the lives of many Sahrawis. The move has been met with mixed reactions; while the ruling Socialist Party and the left-wing coalition partner Sumar support the initiative, the conservative People's Party opted to abstain, and the far-right Vox party opposed it.
Tesh Sidi, a prominent Sumar lawmaker and the first woman of Sahrawi origin to serve in the Spanish parliament, passionately advocated for the legislation, emphasizing that it aims to restore the Spanish national identity card to those Sahrawis who were stripped of it in the past. Historically, Spain administered Western Sahara until 1976, when Morocco began asserting its claims over the territory. This complex geopolitical situation is further complicated by the presence of the Polisario Front, an indigenous resistance group that continues to advocate for Sahrawi independence, while many Sahrawis now reside in refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria.
The timing of this legislative push is particularly poignant, as it coincides with a backdrop of heightened tensions between Spain and Morocco, especially following a recent migrant crisis in Ceuta. Hundreds of migrants have attempted to breach the borders, resulting in tragic fatalities, which has added another layer of complexity to the already fragile diplomatic relations between the two nations. As this situation unfolds, the implications of the citizenship bill for Spain's foreign policy and its relationship with Morocco will be closely monitored.
As reported by dw.com.
